Mythical Retort #1: Isn't it safer to see the traffic coming at you?
First off, why wouldn't we extend this reasoning to the car? Since so many auto collisions are rear-endings, clearly it would be "safer" if there weren't anyone behind you, yes? Obviously not, and the same applies to the bicycle.
Furthermore, if you travel against traffic, your speed relative to an oncoming car is enormous. If you're traveling at 15mph and a car is traveling at 55mph, your relative speed is 70mph, almost sure to be a fatal collision. Your relative speed is only 40mph if you are traveling in the same direction as the car in the same scenario. A collision would certainly still hurt you at this speed, but your chances are much better.
Many cyclists new to traffic are afraid of being struck from behind. Again, statistics show that this is one of the rarest scenarios in bicycle crashes. But the big point is to realize that when you ride predicitably — in a straight line in the flow of traffic — drivers know how to respond to you. If, for example, you weave in and out of parked cars, drivers will not be as certain about what your next move will be, and therein lies danger. Remember: no sane driver wants to hit you.
Of course, riding predictably will not help prevent a distracted driver from drifting into you. Unfortunately, this is the source of most rear-end bicycle collisions. In our cellular age, chatting and texting are virtually the default behavior among less experienced (younger) drivers. As a defensive maneuver you can make every effort to stay behind obviously distracted drivers. For example, at a stop sign, let them go ahead of you.
It is also important to develop good listening and looking skills. Looking behind you while riding in a straight line is a skill that you have to develop. Before you brave heavy traffic, it's a good idea to have already developed this skill. As far as listening goes, you should be able to sense an approaching car by the sounds behind you. When you hear a car, give a glance to make sure that the car behaving as predictably as you are. In addition to listening, you can look behind you with a mirror. However, as in operating a motor vehicle, mirrors are not a substitute for the head check.
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