They're better handlers, and better handlers take more risks, which causes more danger. You accept the risks when you do it, and that's kind of the thrill of it, really. Others believe the amount of danger on the course falls on the shoulders of each rider. They respect each other and don't want to see one another get hurt. They're competitive but also safety conscious.
Most competitive cyclists agree that pack riding creates the most dangerous situations.
The riders are often bunched together closely in groups, each rider vying for a front position. One rider may accidentally clip another with his or her bike, as was the case in Wednesday's Stage 2 women's finish of the Redlands Classic. Leasure, who has much experience in pack riding situations, recounts some dangerous moments. I remember one time in a Dutch Classic, I was in a pack of 135 women and we were flying. I ended up taking someone's side mirror off.