I prefer to act as an ambassador as well. I see plenty of recreational cyclists behaving badly on the road I use for my commute, I hope the cars see me and know some of us are polite and law abiding.

I choose not to avoid the busiest road home since it has a very wide shoulder. Some commuters in the area chose to go through neighborhoods to avoid as much of the road as possible. That would add more mileage and I don't feel the need but it sounds like your road is not as friendly.