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Seconded. There's definitely an optimal riding speed when cycling for transport that's faster than your average newbie and slower than absolutely bombing it (which opens you up to being unable to react in time to drivers' silliness when they misjudge you and pull out).
skidlidsid-
I almost got rear ended / squashed by a bus who thought it appropriate to attempt an overtake pulling away from lights through a junction, obviously didn't have enough time to do it before the crossing islands in the other side. turned around to find him within cm from my rear wheel shouting at me through his glass, asking why I was there. I was ahead of him while waiting at the lights. Almost every time I cycle with my son, gf, dad or a friend who is slow something noteabley dangerous like that happens. It's fucked!
MCamb
Observed once again while riding with a relatively new (slow) bike rider you get constantly punished, pushed and pressed by all sorts of drivers way more than you would if you're a bit quicker. It really is worrying and stressful and very easy to see why people think it's dangerous and would be put off by taking up cycling regularly.