I'm plenty concerned with my own safety. And I've found that the safest place, as counterintuitive as may be to many drivers (and a shockingly large number of cyclists), is to be in the lane out of the doorzone. If there's a bike lane, great. If there's a wide shoulder, great. If not, I'll take the lane. Especially if it's just for a half mile.

Now, if it's a much longer section, I'd probably just try to find a different route. And I don't want to be completely dogmatic. If you're not comfortable taking the lane, then don't. But personally, I would much rather be in the lane, off the sidewalk, out of the doorzone.