When I started cycling I lived in the Los Angeles area... Whittier, Redondo Beach, Huntington Beach, Crestline, and Temecula. All were great IMO. I rode everywhere. And yet Bicycling voted LA the worst city for cycling in the country...??? https://www.theguardian.com/...s-dangers-bike-paths

The most dangerous place for cycling I lived was the "rural" island of Kauai. Narrow roads, dense traffic, shoulders always covered with debris and unusable, distracted tourists, and delivery trucks in a hurry. High speed very close passes happened several times every ride. Where I live now (Ruidoso, NM) is great... but most people think it's too dangerous here as well. They keep calling for "bike lanes" which are completely useless as they get covered with gravel, broken glass, nails, screws, etc.

You need to learn how to handle your bike and negotiate traffic, use bright lights front and rear so you can be seen, pick sensible routes and times... else I guess you *should* be scared. It's not as idiot proof as driving a car...