KitN

OMGWTFBBQDOORZONE! Normally you'd want a door prize but this kinda door prize you might want to pass on... Unless you like emergency room visits. You need to put 3-5 feet between you and the cars parked along the side of the road just in case someone just decides to pop their head out like a Whack-A-Mole. 3 feet is the minimum and pushing it. 5 feet or more is preferred.

You should also try to plan a better route. If you can, avoid streets with really bad road conditions and heavy, crazy traffic. If you can't, then be prepared to take the lane when necessary and get up off your seat to let your whole body absorb the shock of hitting a pothole, not just your butt! (Ouch!)

You absolutely need a front and rear bike light to ride at night. Not only is it illegal, it's really, really dangerous to not have a bike light at night. No one likes a "bike ninja" sneaking around in the dark, trust me. Bike Ninjas not only scare the piss out of everyone on the road but will surely get killed sooner or later. Don't be a Bike Ninja.

You can buy some basic lights from anywhere for cheap so there's no excuse. Simple, basic blinky lights will do. Blinky the Hell up or say "Hello" to a pine box.

PaulRivers

If the potholes are that big, I'd suggest finding another route if possible.

scoatw

Get a mirror !