I'm suprised someone finds Raleigh, NC as hostile to bikes; I ride everywhere in Raleigh, routinely taking trips to the farmer's market, Umstead, several colleges, and elsewhere, often on Western, Avent Ferry, Hillsborough.... I've only had a few hairy moments on the road, and nearly all of those were at greenway-road transitions or parking lot entrances/exits. I see dozens of individuals biking every day; road bikers, tourers, commuters, casual riders....heck, I've even seen young kids (7 yo+) on the busy roads with their parents. On an average week, I do ~80 miles on roads, with about 60 of that during peak traffic. I have also nearly hit 6 bicyclists on the same route (while in my car)....all riding on bikes, generally going downhill and crossing a driveway or entry way without hesitation. I, like most folks, check sidewalks...but I don't check way up or down the sidewalks...even if I wanted to, Icouldn't.....many have decorative railing, bushes, and other obstacles to viewing a bike that could reach a drive....but pedestrians are easy to pick up in the planned gap.