I'm enjoying the heck out of your thread. I see your bicycle has down tube shift levers. That puts it back a bit in time. My road bike had those shifters it got upgraded to Sachs Ergopower back in the day. What make and model of bike are you riding?
Do you have some sort of mirror to see behind you? I've used a mirror that clipped onto my eye glasses so I can see behind me. Typically I hear a vehicle, I look to see if it is giving me room so I know if I need to get out of its path. Ears and eyes, kept me safe on a lot of cross state tours. I think it was a lot safer 20-30 years ago before smart phones and idiot drivers.
‘89 Schwinn Voyageur, only the frame, shifters and deraillieurs are original. Big ol cheapo Bell handlebar mirrors, one on each side. I watch em constantly, doesn’t mean I can’t get taken out. Per hour or per mile, IMHO road bicycling is way more dangerous than motorcycling.
