I ride on the sidewalk in 3 different places...1 block each location. Temporary construction issues, volume and speed issues make the areas too dangerous, as I transition around canals to alternate side streets....other than that I never ride on a sidewalk. I do filter up along traffic on certain roads. These lanes are extra wide. If the light turns and I have not filtered all the way up, I'll stop and stay with traffic flow, even though the cars are moving slowly, rather than continue to filter up......Other sections of my commute are on narrower streets and I do not filter up at all there... Overall, I'll filter if I feel I have about 3 ft of pavement width before the gutter.

I run a Dinotte taillight 24/7, you can't have too bright a taillight. At night, I run the brightest headlight I can get....if cars in oncoming lanes are blinking at me, then I figure the light is bright enough. I also run dayglo side lights normally....my battery died, so will risk another 2-3 weeks until my morning commute has daylight, but will definitely have a new one next fall for my dark winter commutes...If you can see me, then I figure I have a fighting chance.

A rearview mirror is mandatory.