I hear a lot of people who claim that riding on rural roads aren't safe at all for cyclists... I have to say that I strongly disagree.

I live in the suburbs, filled with 8 lane roadways and cars whizzing by at 70-80 km/hr. There's often more cars and dangerous objects such as potholes. More cars = more angry people = more close passing.

I almost always choose to go for rides on less busy country roads. Luckily, a 5 minute ride gets me into the country where I feel much safer... Less traffic and I find the drivers who I do encounter are generally very courteous and give me plenty of room when passing.