Yes and no I'd say I have a healthy respect for the dangers involved, I'm aware of the risks each time I ride. There's a moment before any ride that I might think "ok, pay attention. This is dangerous but you love it! Just focus"

But I could walk outside right now and get hit on the head by a piano that falls out of a plane

On a new commute I'd do a dry run a time or two.

Pick a weekend or day you could be late for work. How long does it really take you? Would you have time to fix a flat? Where would you stop if you just haaaaave to have a cookie or want one as a reward for the hill? Is there a frontage road you could take instead of that 2nd bit? Do you have cell network throughout? If that left turn is a bad one can you over shoot it and take two rights? Two wrongs don't make a right but sometimes three rights make a left?

It took me almost a year of trial runs and weekend explorations before I found my TWO MILE route to the train.

Bounded on three sides by freeway it's no wonder nobody around here rides. Those who do take the most dangerous route. But part of that's because the two bike/pedestrian only overpasses we actually have....are not signed. So it was by accident that I found a safer way.