Before my knees started to go, I rode 175 miles a week on my road bike (Kliein Performance), and rode mountain bikes (Peugeot Kings Canyon & a Nishiki Alien, mostly) in the hills and muck of the middle Hudson River Valley for many years. None of the serious riders I knew then tried to challenge cars for room on the road. We rode inside the white line whenever possible, avoided high speed and traffic areas, and always followed the same rules as cars (except the speed limit on a good downhill). This was considered an essential code of conduct for shareing the road with big, fast things that are waiting to cream you. During that time, I was hit once by a car, deliberately run off the road several times, and have had garbage thrown at me on several occasions. I still think that anyone on a 22 pound bicycle who deliberately antagonises a 2 ton vehicle is meeting grounds for committment based on suicidality.
Now I ride overpowered motorcycles at license-losing speeds, and feel much, much safer. When I meet the crazies on the road, instead of being completely at their mercy, all I have to do is romp on the throttle, and wave goodbye.
I personally have a great deal of respect for serious bicyclists.