Welcome Dan, your age and interest will fit well in this forum.
A quote from Malcolm Forbes:
"I used to think people who rode motorcycles had a screw loose. But the public image of motorcycling is all wrong. The bad guys are the exception, not the rule. What people don't understand is that motorcycles are not dangerous. I mean, they are dangerous, but you compensate by being infinitely more aware, more alert, more careful. You're more anticipatory of what others are doing."
Forbes rode from age 41 to near his passing.
People approach me and will say something like: "I rode a (insert make and model) up until I got married, had children, was told my life insurance premiums would go up, had a friend that was killed while riding, yada, yada, yada...."
Further, I'm thinking about getting another bike, but I worry about: people on cell phones, drunken drivers, yada, yada, yada. What do you think I should buy? The words translate to facts, but his body language is telling me that he is saying his words are what he thinks I want to hear. I tell such people to stick to fishing, hiking, tennis, yada, yada, yada. Don't buy a motorcycle! Your perception of what going on, on the road will quickly become self fulling prophesy.
Where I'm going with this mirrors a good deal of the responses above. A rider safety course is a great idea, but if you carry any fears or concerns onto a full blooded motorcycle they tend to become reality rather quickly. And, don't forget that the throttle is as effective at avoiding traffic issues as the brakes.
Best.