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@smaryka
Well there is research that shows that cars will give more room overtaking helmetless cyclists with long blonde hair than those with helmets, lycra, etc.
I see it myself all the time, local guys in jeans riding beat-up MTBs at 10mph are given a lot more room and respect than me (helmet, lycra, race bike).
To be honest, I think the only thing you can do is ride assertively and sensibly but defensively, shoulder-check a lot and be aware of everything around you, trust your instinct, avoid death trap roads and maybe get some off-road practice once in a while so you have the skills for last-moment crash avoidance and know how to fall properly if you do crash.
That and a bit of luck will go a lot further than raising your bars!