Hi, LovesFrance, Now let me tell you about traffic. I have been riding about 3 1/2 years and I have 1000miles on my bikes. Most of those are in a traffic area with stores lights and right turn on red and parked cars. The best way to get use to traffic is find a place around you that has less traffic and go up from there. I have been hit once by a car. That was right turn on red and he did not see me ya right. I have one car or twenty really makes no differance. That car was only of about three on the rode at 5:00 am. Also don't ride at peak traffic times. Off times work the best. I ride after work starts and school not near lunch or when work let out 7:00 pm seem to be good in NC. Watch who the traffic works before putting your bike out there. I ride on a six lane road for part of my 24 mile and I really try to have eye in the back of my head. It just take time to get use to cars. Never let anything stop you from a good ride you can do it.The hill I went down the biggest hill sat aug 9 that I ever went down and had no other way to go I held my breath and took the plung. The rider next to me told me to light touch the brakes but don't choke them them just go with it. It was great but I was glad it was over Just try it one step at a time Sandy