After several near misses in crosswalks I try to avoid them (ride the street when safe). I guess I am MUCH more aware and a plan MUCH farther ahead. I have one section on road I will not ride. It is a "S" curve that people like to fly low on. Their is a privacy style fence along the road that severely limits sight distance. On top of that it is a pretty steep uphill grade. I refuse to ride the apex of the curve under those conditions. I am on the other side of the road riding the sidewalk till I get clear of the area. Coming the other way I run the street.

After near misses with right hooks I take the lane at intersections till I clear them.

The experiance have taught me to really be aware of what the design of the road is going to cause the cager to do and plan for it.

I am not ashamed to run the side walk. The roads are curvy here and almost nobody in my area walks so the side walks have no pedestrians to be concerned about their safety with me riding. If I am pulling grade on a long hill where there is not a bike lane or there is a curve...I may wall be on the side walk taking my time on the hill.