Please share your wisdom with a newbie..

[Kano]

Arm yourself with as much as you can to minimize the risks associated with riding in traffic. Practice looking behind you w/o swerving on a quiet street; use a mirror; wear high vis clothing; use a blinking tailight; avoid riding in rushhour traffic; know the rules of the road and how to use hand signals so that drivers know what you're doing; learn to ride in a steady, straight line; carry a cellphone and emergency information.

All good ideas!

Start riding on the trail if it'll get you out there (but me mindful that trails, especially multi-use trails, can be as nervewracking as the road.

Easily MORE nerve-wracking! Cars and trucks might be fast, but I think they're FAR more predictable than "loose" people!

Karen in Boise