Texas - Dallas Bike Routes: Opinions?

Hi,
i'm going to be moving to dallas here shortly, and was looking for some information on how bikers are treated on marked routes. Are the drivers generally aware and able to give the biker room? How about on the "unmarked/future expansion" routes? I spent some time on my visit/job interview on Luna. Granted, it was middle of the day so the heavy traffic was full bore, which i don't expect during normal morning/late afternoon commutes, but there was no real space, as opposed to some of the other, marked routes i drove.
Please, i'm looking for all experiences on riding in Dallas...i'm looking at commuting out of either irving, preston valley area, or south carrollton, most of which have no marked routes, only the "reccomended" or "future" routes. Any tips or experiences that would be helpful or informative about planning my route?

Based on limited experience on the marked routes, it seems to me there's really not any difference in the drivers; the difference is just that the route is not as busy, and typically has wider lanes where you're not in the way of drivers.

That's what i noticed during my limited on site recon and via google. Most of the routes seem to have a sidewalk as well, and the speed limit is reasonable...i intend to find less trafficked/slower roads in any case, but your response is useful. I've read some of your posts, if i'm not mis-remembering, and you've got a few miles in the area under your belt. Granted, i was out during lunch hour, so i didn't get to see any bikers, but i was eyeing the roads and driver behaviour during the times i was out, and it wasn't overly aggressive, so i have some faith. Around here (suburban Michigan) people either give me a whole lane or nothing, regardless of how much space i give them, so i was hoping that dallas drivers might have some more experience.

It may depend on where you're at, but these marked routes do not necessarily get a lot of bike traffic. I've ridden that 280 route to White Rock Lake several times, and to Love Field once. I've seen plenty of riders at White Rock Lake, and a few at that lake over by Love Field, but have only seen a couple of other riders out on the marked route itself. They may get more commuting traffic during the week or something.

Drivers vary a lot. Some of them give you a whole lane even if you're at the far right. Some don't. Some are TOO polite, and refuse to pass you, and chug along right behind you, which is not very helpful, either.

You will be just down the road from my office. I nearly always take the lane and rarely have any issues.

Here is a sticky from a local forum that is all about routes:
http://www.dorba.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=41967

Has anybody taken the 250 (Monicello) route to White Rock Lake from the Katy Trail? Seems like a really direct route. Looks like Monticello crosses over 75? I'm not familiar with that area. I may try it this weekend.
Ernest

Yes, Monticello crosses 75. The M-Streets are mostly pretty tame, (not too much traffic and nearly all of them are residential).

Be careful on that Monticello-Merrimac Route. The few blocks closest to 75 on that route are absolutely terrible; meaning, the roads are in horrible condition. I ride that route every day, and it is getting pretty hard on the hands and feet. Also be careful right when you get off the Katy trail, as McKinney or whatever that street name is is a one-way street. You will figure it out once you mess it up once, which isn't a big deal really.

My experience is that most drivers don't even know what the bike routes are, but the chosen streets are usually less busy and the lanes may be a tad wider. There is a bike route to get nearly everywhere without going too far out of your way, but some of the route choices are terrible: like Haskell and Peak Street near Baylor Medical and Matilda in the M-streets. Good roads, but pretty busy.

That being said, if I can take a bike route, I will.