buzzman

Am I missing it, maybe my reading comprehension is bad but where exactly is the OP?

I feel like I can never weigh on on any of this stuff without more specifics. Especially something like this- state and local laws vary in this regard and certain highways are exceptions to all the rules.

bragi

I'm with most others here: Anything with a decent shoulder is probably safe, if not always pleasant. I'll ride on anything with a shoulder, and on any surface street with speeds of less than 40 mph. Even higher-speed roads with light traffic, or at off-peak times, is doable. On a heavily traveled, higher-speed road with no shoulder, though, I'm more hesitant. I'm not above using a sidewalk in that situation; in areas like that, usually no one's walking anyway, so you may as well use that extra strip of pavement as your own personal bike path until you get to a less hostile environment.

tariqa

Sorry. I am in the outer cities of Atlanta. Inside Atlanta it is fine. Outside of the perimeter, the cities get a little crazy. Lilburn, GA to be specific and my ride can go through Snellville, Norcross, Stone Mountain, Lithonia. You name it. Anything outside of Decatur is not a good bet for me.

Highway 78 is the road I am mentioning specifically. Jimmy Carter is the second, Lawerencville Highway the third, Centrerville highway the fourth. i would say on to Memorial but this road isnt too congested to be honest. It is the suburban roads that are the real menaces here.

If your not from Atlanta, just google these streets to give you a better idea.

acidfast7

Yes, yes and yes.

Ride in the dedicated cycle lane.

wphamilton

On a freeway, if it's legal, if there's room on the side with a decent clean surface, maybe. But if there are side roads bike troutes and low traffic roads available that's definitely how I'd go. Commuting that is.

I'm not allowed on GA 400, and I've taken it very few times for short distances. I don't think I'd risk it even were it legal. I ride streets here that most cyclists typically won't, but better routes are ... better. A few extra miles is no big deal when you're able to enjoy all of them.

tariqa

GA 400 is dangerous at certain times especially. Dont think id risk it either. I usually ride those main state route streets that most wont ride as well. However the streets in GA in the outskirts of the city are a different story. Especially the one like Stone Mountain HWY 78 on into Snellville. No shoulder, high speed traffic, congestion on certain times. Its the fastest route but in the end it saves about 2 miles. Commuting to work, 2 miles turns into 4 and 4 miles alone is a trip in itself and can make all the difference of whether you will end up fatigued or not. That is why I constantly question riding to save a few mileage that will add up in the long run. You might be able to enjoy the longer paths, but when you are just coming off from a 12 hour shift at work, enjoying a long bike ride isnt probably the first thing on your mind. It is getting home and as quickly as possible.

tariqa

I would have to agree with this one as well. In my city, the designated bike paths in a large part of the city are just paved sidewalks. They arent really even bike paths. No one really walks on these sidewalks as well, maybe 2 or 3 people the entire stretch at best. I dislike riding the sidewalk because of the fact its illegal but when it comes down to it, the sidewalk is legal even encouraged by the law themselves in certain places of the town.

wphamilton

You'd get used to it. I have the same mindset- just get home - but the commute was 10 miles each way for a couple of years and 7.5 now. It seems like a short ride. For me, a couple of miles extra is less bother than more traffic.

RJ77

It will most likely vary pretty significantly based on the area where people live. Where I am in NJ, it isn't legal to cycle on most of the highways. And even if it was, it would be suicidal to do so, since the posted speed limits range from 50-65mph and vehicles are sometimes driving at speeds in excess of 75mph. Add in the fact that there are portions of the highway with no shoulder, as well as numerous entrance and exit ramps. This pic shows one of the area highways, and is a pretty good representation of what most of the area highways are like.

CommuteCommando

I ride a variety of conditions. I try to avoid certain urban expressways when riding recreationally, but it’s not always possible. When I ride, I like to leave out my front door and not use the car to go biking. This means there is inevitable urban thoroughfare riding. I am comfortable in such traffic because I know the rules to of the road. I also feel comfortable in my knowledge of defensive riding.

I rode the Genesee to Sorrento downhill yesterday. It’s probably about the fifth time. The only part I feel uncomfortable with is the very top where cars are often unaware that there are bikes entering, and will cut the corner into the less than well marked bike lane while turning onto the onramp. Turning left at the bottom involves some good eyeball to eyeball communication with motor traffic, but I am pretty comfortable. Again, being a decent defensive rider, I’m not opposed to passing of the vehicular riding if I sense danger form behind.

Two lane country roads used to worry me, but around here motorists know there are bikes on these roads.

I like most bike trails, and the one on my regular commute bypasses a lot of long traffic signals. https://app.strava.com/activities/90763886 Check the satelite view starting at mile 2.7 and you will see what I mean. Other bike trails have too much pedestrian traffic to be pleasant on a bike. The trail in the link above is almost unrideable on weekends.

Another concern about riding on main arterials where they cross interstates is transiting the ramps. I do this fairly often, and again am comfortable doing so. If you are not comfortable, by all means cross these as a pedestrian would.

FBinNY 

Other than Interstates where I wouldn't ride at all, except for unique limited situations (only bridge for 10 miles either side, short down hill connector that I might ride for 1 mile to avoid a long detour, etc.) I'm open to riding any road at all.

But it's not only about traffic. Other factors are involved, such as constriction, lane width, quality of shoulders if the even exist, right edge pavement quality, sight lines, and general traffic speed.

Everything gos into the decision hopper, weighing the choice against alternatives. It's not only a safety question, but how it rates on the misery index. If a short stretch of terrible road, makes a route wok out otherwise, I'll do it. If it's a long stretch on lousy/busy road, the alternativs begin to look much better, and are probably worth a long detour to use them.