This is why I exclusively ride on sidewalks (which is legal and common where I live). I recently gave road riding a try recently just to test my fears; it was a short ride, a less-used road, and early in the morning, and I still had 3 close calls in the 15 min it took me to get home. I tell anybody who feels happy telling me I shouldn't ride on sidewalks to give me a blank check for medical bills if they're so confident that I'll be safe on the road.