One important lesson i learned is that, leaving home early enough is a good safety measure, in that it reduces the chances of accidents due to rushing to catch the light, squeezing past a truck when it's not safe, endangering pedestrians, hitting objects on the road, etc., etc., just in order not to be late. I ride at leisure speed, sometimes really slow (such as these days, to avoid the splashes from the melting snow). When riding in a rush, the mind also can't fully concentrate on the road because of the anxieties--"don't be late" overrides "ride safe".

In short, it's all about safety. There isn't much scenic enjoyment for me on my route