Originally Posted by
Looigi
Not my vid, but I've ridden in NYC and other cities. It's never safe. There is always risk, as there is riding on the road anywhere. Some situations are riskier than others. You judge the level of risk and you decide the risks you're willing to take. The way you get started is just going and doing it. Some people are more risk tolerant than others so it's an individual thing.
Being safe is subjective. A cyclist is only as safe as, knowing all the traffic laws, and knowing their capabilities within those traffic laws i.e. if one can reach a speed within 10mph of the posted speed limit(20mph in a 30mph zone, etc.) and their riding capabilities within those traffic laws. Also, The attitude of some motorists'. On a two-lane blacktop, they would have no problem with another motorist going slow for some reason, just honking at them. But not trying to pass them at high speed. If a cyclist is in front of a motorist, the motorist doesn't care if they pass the cyclist at high speed, or not.