Tolerence for high traffic volumes

[Catrin]

btw, I think it's easier to do traffic by yourself, so not having a riding partner is a good thing. the best thing about heavy traffic is: THEY are all slower! YAAAY! sometimes you can actually keep up with traffic. You will find that if you are careful, congestion on a bike can be very pleasant (as opposed to being trapped in a car)

I am fortunate because I never actually SEE congestion - I walk in my office long before most people leave home. This is certainly good to think about though - especially if I decide to change my working hours for the summer

......Take some of your fuel cost savings and invest in LOTS of bright lights and reflective tape...and set an example for folks who under-illuminate themselves.

ETA: In looking at the map, it seems that you're well situated with Lanes that can at least get you across the river to one of the greenways...May not be the straightest route, but would keep you out of a lot of the riskier "downtown fringe" where the traffic is less disciplined and faster moving.

I believe that, if you're visible, predictable, courteous, and assertive, you should have no problem...but comfort grows with time and experience.

Yeah, it is the experience that I am lacking. I rode like a wild woman last summer, but on country roads. Dealing with huge farm equipment and the occasional car full of rednecks shouting complimentary things at me is a different thing than downtown traffic. I can't hear what they are saying anyway so I choose to believe they are compliments and I smile at them

The only part I am really concerned about is getting across the actual downtown to the White River trail - I am on the opposite side of downtown from it. There is a poorly designed bike lane or two... There is another bike/ped facility under construction but I don't think the northern bit is complete. There is a bit of a dicey neighborhood to ride through from 30th to get to Guion Rd (for those in the area) - but the last half of the ride wouldn't be much of a problem - at least I don't think so

Out of curiosity...how long is your current commute by car?

It takes me about 20-25 minutes from my front door to my office door - that includes a 2 block walk from the garage. There isn't much traffic at 5:30 am nor at 3:30 pm.... It would take longer to ride it - I can't ride that fast

I highly recommend this book too. It totally changed the way I ride in traffic, and I feel way safer and more in control of my own wellbeing. It's largely about recognizing dangerous situations before you get into them, and choosing a safer alternative for yourself. Lots of stuff I had never thought about before, and stuff that seems counter-intuitive until you really think about it.

Thanks for the book recommendation, I will check it out! Eventually I do want to try this - with only 14 miles to go it seems a shame not to try it out. Even if I only did it once or twice a week, it would certainly be a good thing!