Maybe you. As soon as I get on my bike I am thinking about moving the pedals etc The chain no. My legs move the pedals and I go. If the chain goes off the derailleur then I am thinking about the chain. Same if a tire goes flat. Otherwise no, no reason to think about them. I live in a low traffic volume area but you betcha I am consciously thinking about drivers not paying attention. Florida has the most bicyclists killed each year prolly because most are relying on their subconscious to get them home safe.
I thought it was 'prolly because most of Florida do not have sidewalks, (and the state which New York and Michigan drivers like to congregate in winter, who cannot drive for shit at all), so cyclists are forced to ride in the street.
Can't speak for Michigan, but I'm originally from New York where they like to drive on the sidewalks.
I'll have you know I sidewalk surfed my Audi diagonally across the street from the 100th precinct back in Queens one day ummm night many moons ago. It was bus stop too although without any riders waiting. Jumped the curb around the bus stop sign and back down onto road catching the green signal because don't want to get a red light ticket now do ya.
I choose what (type of) bike I ride based on, first, the environment (terrain, weather, type of road, etc) and secondly, matched to what I want to do (race, sightsee, mountain climb, touring, just be outside etc)
Consciously or unconsciously? Florida is flat as a ......... so I have a 21 speed touring. Nothing fancy or super expensive, gets the job done.