Collie here, too. She's much more readily controlled off-leash. But obviously, there are circs where off-leash just isn't sensible. We hike the ravines a lot, where she is in her element, cyclists and coyotes or not. But, if she sees a white SUV she will try to chase and eat it. So, it's on-leash near traffic and, as a result, we avoid traffic.
Motorbikes for ours. What is it about collies and wheels?!