Tell ya what as a avid cyclist, toured all over weatern usa and alaska if given the choice riding with traffic makes a huge difference iffin your hit,ive been hit 3 times,twice hit n run years ago,we cyclists working out avg speed 20+mph on flat roads going with traffic is usually a glancing blow vs a head on splate @ 20+ mph riding into traffic,think about it.
Bike paths are another challenge, bicylist and walkers on same path dont mix,its one thing for a weekend mom and pop taking a low speed sunday bike ride vs a cyclist pushing his/her workout at high speed,some cities have bicycle speed limits of 10mph but no enforcement walk on path at your own risk,weekend spandix clowns abound and are a danger.
For as many bike riders that get hit from behind , I just don't understand why you would not ride facing traffic. I don't ride but what am I missing . I think I read where 1500 bike riders are hit each year