I make a left onto an uncontrolled major arterial every time I leave work. There is no sidewalk or viable shoulder option. I can cut a gap as tight as any car, but will only do so if the traffic that will be immediately behind me is not too heavy, since they will need to slow or switch lanes to overtake me. I usually get across within a minute or two, just like the folks in cars who also have to wait.

Occasionally, when presented with a gap in the first three lanes but not the fourth, (the curb lane going in my intended direction) I just pull out into the left lane going in my direction and then merge over to the right lane. It doesn’t feel as scary as it sounds.