I use cycle mounted mirrors on all my bikes. With my vision I find it difficult to focus on the eye glass or helmet mounted mirrors. I use Mirrycle Mirrors http://www.amazon.com/Mirrycle-MTB-M...irrycle+mirror on my flat bar bikes and the German mirror on my road bikes. http://www.amazon.com/D-Oberlauda-Ul...=german+mirror.

Even more importantly I wear screaming yellow or blaze orange clothing when riding just about anywhere. You don't have to have "official" bike jerseys; regular t-shirts in a wicking fabric are available for cheap. For example:http://www.amazon.com/Radians-ST11-2...s=hi+viz+shirt .

Use flashing front lights and a blinkie on the rear. That helps also make you visible.

If the road you ride on doesn't have a shoulder and there isn't enough room for you on the edge when someone is in the lane, then stay away from the "slash zone" and ride into the lane far enough so people actually have to go over the center line to pass you. If you hug the edge people seem to take more passing risks and you run the risk of getting clipped. This was tough for me to do at first but now I am more likely to take the lane.

As far a feet hurting on the pedals there are a few options. Unless I am riding my road bike with clipless pedals I like to be able to ride in any shoe. So, I got platform pedals with a large flat platform. There are a few options. I use Ergon pedals. Another option are these: http://www.amazon.com/MKS-Lambda-Ped.../dp/B001GSQVEE. Unfortunately, both are expensive pedals so a stiffer shoe may be the better option.



Firesafe, I like your bike.