The situation I wrote about is in my suburb on the outskirts of Atlanta where traffic is relatively light compared to Atlanta. I really want to try and commute to downtown Atlanta because I'm really hurting for gas money in my car these days. However, the idea of commuting in Atlanta is quite intimidating as Atlanta drivers are undeniably aggressive since everyone is trying to make lost time from the extreme traffic. Even on the neighborhood backroads, people go at a pretty good clip since everyone has a shortcut!
How do others cope with traveling in urban cities? I guess just get out there and do it.
Don't just get out there and do it! Too dangerous to do that.
Google on mapquest.com to find your routes to and from work. Drive your car slowly and carefully check out potholes and bad road patches. Jot down where the roads seem to become more hazardous for bikes, like merges, speed limits, long road stretches, etc. Watch how other bicyclists ride. When you get a chance, talk with them and ask how the ride into town is.
I commute in heavy traffic five miles to work. It took me years to find the safest and fastest routes to and from town. The routes changed as I become more confident and my MB got faster. I ALWAYS have to remember where the worst potholes and bad road patches were.
When traffic gridlocks in town, I claim the lane because no one can overtake me anyway. They issue tickets to bikes on sidewalks in downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, but not the suburbs. If it's raining, I ride on the sidewalk or bikepath at slow speed(not downtown).
To ride safely in my town, I need to claim the lane. To avoid door openers, pedestrians and merging cars , I always ride the second lane from the curb.
In order to ride safely in fast traffic and claim the lane, you have to be able to accelerate quickly and maintain the speed limit. My bike must also be able to travel five miles faster than that limit. That prevents cars from crowding you. If they buzz past you while you're 5mph over, they look bad, not you.
No one crowds me while I claim the lane. I think they're afraid to run me over if I fall.
Death is my co-pilot. He waits patiently for me to make a fatal mistake.
My ancestors also ride alongside me. They warn me of upcoming danger.
Angels and the devil riding on my shoulders.