I drive cars for 15 years and bikes for 10 years. From my experience, there are just too many ifs on the road. It doesn't matter how many wheels you drive, two-wheeled bike or 18 wheeler truck, you must constantly pay attention to your surroundings. Same with areas where you riding. Urban areas may be more crowded and have more traffic compared to the countryside, but there are still so many dangers to be considered as wild animals.
I think no, driving a motorcycle is safe as driving a car. Though I must admit you'll need extra protection riding a motorcycle. For example, having a helmet like one of these is mandatory in my opinion, even if you're driving 30 miles per hour.