"Seventy five percent of all journeys in Britain are under five miles in length; half are under two miles; and thirty two per cent under a mile... Of all journeys undertaken by car, sixty one per cent are under five miles in length; and a similar proportion of all short journeys currently take place in cars." --Bikes Not Fumes, p. 11, CTC 1991
Make sure you have a front headlight on your bike--so that you are visible to drivers behind you.
"The experience was pretty revealing - it opened my eyes to the challenges that cyclists face, which are clearly significant...I wouldn't single out any particular group of motorists, but I saw behaviour ranging from the very courteous to that which was frightening." --Ian Craig, Managing Director of Lothian Buses.
There seems to be an endless supply of bike fender innovators in my town. Of course, some are more successful than others...