A lot of people are going to rant about how terrible it is to wear headphones or listen to the radio on the bike but if listening to NPR makes you happy, go for it. There are lots more dangerous activities you could engage in.

About the traffic signal that didn't detect you...look at the pavement for cuts. They might be rectangular, or diamond shaped. Whichever shape, there's probably a center cut, with either a T-cut across that or an M-cut. Position yourself at the top of the center cut, lean your wheel over it slightly. That should set off the actuator pretty well. Some streets are paved over and you can't see the cuts. Then, you might get lucky if you aim for the center of the lane, right where the center of your car would be if you were in a car.

About the hills...try shifting into your lowest gear before you are completely stopped.

One thing that helps me is to have the attitude that while commuting, my goal is to get from one place to another. I'm not training or racing or performing. So I don't worry about if I have a better or worse time one day, or if it takes me forever to get up a hill. I have more fun that way.

Cyclists generally look like dorks. You should see me in my safety goggles, reflective orange road vest, yellow fenders on a maroon bike (the rust spots are a particularly classy touch)... I'm sure you are much cuter biking in a skirt than I am in that get-up!