| The safest way to do it is to ride in the middle of the road if there isn't a wide enough shoulder. Even if you can't keep up with the speed limit, you have every right to be there. The unfortunate part is that motorists and cops don't see it that way. Some people are just so ignorant to cyclist rights and they are in such a hurry to get wherever they "need" to be that they are willing to put the lives of others at risk.
Road riding can be safe if you stay on the right roads. It is clearly most dangerous when you are in the city - especially a city that doesn't have bike lanes or wide shoulders on the road. It's an awesome sport and I highly recommend getting into it, despite these stories. I used to be a mountain biker, but since I started road cycling last spring, I ride on the roads for about 95% of my biking.
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Fear should be treated like fire - it's a good thing that can keep you warm but it can also burn down the house |