Tolerence for high traffic volumes

[Melalvai]

Have you taken Traffic Skills 101? I checked on that site for Indianapolis and there aren't currently any classes scheduled but I see there are 4 certified instructors so you might contact them and ask if they have plans to teach a class.

If there are no classes in your area, the bike league website has some very good resources about best cycling practices. The new "Smart Cycling" book comes with the "Enjoy Your Ride" DVD.

This class boosted my confidence. After taking the class, I felt like I could bike on the interstate if that was legal. (Disclaimer: it actually is legal in Missouri because no alternate routes exist. Nonetheless, I only say I feel like I could do it, I admit I have not attempted it.) More importantly, it gave me the confidence that I DO have a right to the road, so I could cope with the harassment much better. (The way I cope is: I report it. Every time. No matter how small the incident. The difference is I don't get emotional about it.)

In addition to the confidence, it teaches you safer bicycling practices.

[Catrin]

I took the Traffic Skills class last June, and it was quite helpful. I think that I just need to find some way of working more urban riding into my rides - and I have done some of this but not in downtown Indianapolis. Well, not in Indianapolis at all but in a couple of surrounding towns. Not the same thing

Thank you, everyone, for your advice, it helps!

[Trek-chick]

I have roughly 8 miles of my 16 mile commute in heavy traffic. I still breath a sigh of relief once I hit the MUP. But when I ride in traffic, I always wear my bright yellow vest and try to make eye contact with drivers. I also, learned the hard way NOT to let drivers " be good Samaritans and stop, to let me pass".

Car drivers just do not watch traffic from a cyclists point of view. I always give them the right of way. I feel better when the cars are out of my way so to speak.

I always just make sure to constantly be aware of my surroundings and actually found that drivers are far nicer to me as a cyclist than I thought they would be.

Also, it helps to do practice runs of your planned route on a non- work day. I found I needed to change one section that was too crazy for my liking, and you can time yourself too

[Crankin]

When I was commuting, I had to make a major change when I moved; my commute went from 6.7 miles on back roads in rural suburbs to 13.8 miles on more heavily traveled suburban roads, complicated by a traffic circle that didn't allow me to get to work in the most efficient way (you can't ride there or you'll get killed). The first day I commuted, I went a longer way that ended up to be 17.5 miles, including a 3 part hill on the way there. While I sometimes ended up doing the longer ride on the way home, I did not appreciate those hills at 6:00 AM. So, I went out in the car and scouted a new route, that seemed counter intuitive and longer, but it wasn't. There was also a T intersection that scared me; a light on a slight uphill. So, after spending a few weeks driving to a point and parking and riding in about 8 miles, I braved the intersection at 6:15 AM. I found that there were rarely cars in front of me at that time, so I could handle it. A couple of times I had to scoot with my foot across the intersection, but the cars waited. I had to turn left across a fairly busy road, but the heavy traffic was going in the other direction, so there were rarely cars behind me. That's when I got really good at getting out in the lane!
So get out there and explore all of your options. While I absolutely would not ride in Boston (heck, I don't drive there, either), I know I could if I had to.

[PscyclePath]

It's mostly a matter of practice and experience. The Traffic Skills 101 course is a good way to ease yourself out there with a bit of coaching, There's also a Traffic Skills 201 course which looks at more complex situations and a little higher density traffic. Hurst's book is good, as is the new League "Smart Cycling" handbook. The Smart Cycling book also comes with all the training videos used in the TS101 course.

For now, ride where you are comfortable. A little anxiousness is okay, but if you're downright scared, that's a clear sign that you're out of your comfort zone. Practice the basics, and work yourself up to more complex situations when you start to feel more confident about approaching them. Check with one of your local LCIs... I'm sure they'd ride with you a bit to help build up the confidence...

[Biciclista]

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)

[Mr. Bloom]

Ditto to Traffic Skills 101. Since you've taken it, I encourage you to pursue more of the Bike League curriculum

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.