I'm an avid road biker, so I have experience in riding in busy streets. I haven't had experience riding with a load, as I have one saddle bag that was loaded with a laptop and a toiletries bag. I installed new clipless pedals last night so I could wear my road shoes, but I'm contemplating putting on my Forte Campus pedals with SPD on one side and platform on another.

I'm riding a single speed, so off the line is a bit tough, and about 2 miles in, the back wheel fell off as I jumped the light. I was also having some trouble with the rim rubbing the brake pad. I guess it rides a bit different with no load than with a load.

Should my bag be on the left or right side of the bike? I only have one saddle bag and a trunk bag.