I practiced riding in traffic for the first time today. What an experience. I am determined to ride according to the laws and practice vehicular cycling. However, there's one part of my possible future commute route in which the sidewalk seems safer than the road.

It's a hill with two lanes in each direction. The speed limit is 40 MPH. The rightmost lane is almost certainly too narrow to accommodate both a bicycle and an automobile. Normally, what I've learned of vehicular cycling and the law would urge me to take the whole lane. However, I'm concerned that as I roll over the top of the hill and begin my descent, there will be cars quickly approaching from behind. In such a situation, I'd be in the middle of the rightmost lane, going slower than traffic. The automobile in question is quickly climbing the hill, unable to see me on the other side. As the automobile passes the crest of the hill and increases speed in the descent, I may be riding my bicycle very close in front and suddenly rise into view. There's a sidewalk running alongside this situation. If I take the sidewalk just for this situation, a driveway will allow me to quickly turn into vehicular traffic after the hill.

What do you guys recommend?