I'm a project engineer for a construction firm. Since I work on a construction site, I get those reflective vests for free. I keep my "spare" vest at home and both my wife and I wear it when riding at night. We also get T-shirts that are bright orange with reflective stripes on them for free.

We've noticed cars give us a little more room when riding. I don't care so much about looking special. I'm 39 years old, have three kids and I've been married to the same woman for 10 years. I care very much about what she thinks about my appearance. If someone else doesn't like it, well, that's on them.

I'm of two minds about auto-morons messing with you. I've been riding since I was 14 and I rode motorcycles a lot when I was younger. So a lot of my self-awareness in traffic is based on being on two wheels, not 4. I ride like I belong in traffic and I follow traffic law (well, most of the time). A little well placed courtesy helps too. I've never been in an accident with a car in 25 years of riding.

I think riding bike paths like the Burke Gilman Trail in Seattle too much kind of hobbles you because you don't develop the skills for blending in traffic.

However. I'm a 5'9" man in decent shape. I've spent 15 years of my life man and boy in the military and I'm currently an Officer in the Army National Guard which means I've been taught to project confidence and, if necessary, a "mess with me and I will rip your head off" attitude. A large scar on my cheek doesn't hurt either.

The take-home lesson. Make yourself visible, act like a motor vehicle in traffic. Act like you can take care of yourself. If some jerk messes with you, think about the nice lady in the mini-van who let you make that left at the light.