Originally Posted by SBcycling

There's 1.5 miles from where I live, to the nearest footpath / cycle path. IF it wasn't for that narrow, "A" road (main road, heavy traffic) there would be no big, scary challenges to cycling everyday. Every other challenge has a simple solution such as the right gear, preparation etc. But this.. is the biggest barrier I have to cycle commuting.

It's a stretch of road, and I know many of you will laugh because it's so little distance, and perhaps not as bad as what you face daily.. but to me, it's a terrifying risk that I'd surely have to de-value my life to take. At least according to family and friends who live here.

I want you guys to take a look at the road I'm talking about. It's the main road from Dublin in Ireland to my city, Derry so there's a lot of traffic from lorries to everything else at all times. But in order for me to truly leave my front door, to get shopping , to uni or work, at the very least I need to face this road.

I've done it before a few times which was scary, but the road itself not a physically difficult one. It's quite flat ish.

MY problems: it's not very wide, cars and lorries go very fast, though straight at parts there's hidden dips and turns that speeding cars may not pay attention to and not see me...

Once I pass this, it's dedicated cycle path from then on. I don't need to share with cars and would feel safe. Even in the dark.

Would you guys be able to give me advice or words of wisdom about facing this? I hate the fact I am out of pocket owning a car, getting lazy and unhealthy and paying a premium to be stuck in traffic.. when I am 21 years old and currently in the position to physically cycle. I've dreamt of being a cyclist only since 2015 to much criticism of people telling me it's dangerous, silly in the winter and how I need a car if I want a decent job ..