Get a stationary bike for under $200 and watch virtual bicycle rides or even walking tours on YouTube and the internet and concentrate on being constantly aware of the traffic, road conditions and pedestrians and what is going on around you as you pedal on your bike trip. After enough time traveling through your imaginary trip you will develope bicycle survival skills and have more confidence and less fear when you ride in real life.

Nonsense. Real bike handling skills involve keeping the bike upright while avoiding obstacles and/or keeping it under control when you fail to avoid one. You aren't going to learn how to recover from hitting a pothole or turning on an unanticipated patch of sand sitting at home.

This thread is getting ridiculous without the op explaining what he/she is actually trying to do.

From the lack of any follow-up by the OP I'd guess that the OP has no interest in this thread or any of the others they started/posted in.

Cheers

Maybe they're running an indoor social interaction simulator and it just generates discussion topics.

My wife suffered as well with fear, it took a long time working with her so that she was comfortable riding on gentle bike paths, and we never went out in traffic or had to cross streets as most of our rides went over or under the streets, things were going just peachy and she was learning and gaining a little confidence until one day a deer jumped out in front of her from some bushes on the side of the trail, startled her and she lost control of the bike and fell down, slightly skinning a knee and an elbow and making her hyperventilate and scared her senseless. That set her back forever I think. I ride by myself now, but if you don't find riding a bike enjoyable or can't ride without fear and are willing to accept a slight risk of toppling over then it becomes like work, and who wants another job?

Yes bike handling skills and situational awareness will come from outdoor experience....but if you want to work on your mechanics you cannot beat rollers for indoor riding. Yep I said riding because that's what you will be doing.

In other words, it's great for training the engine, not so much for training the driver.

Real bike skills involve paying attention to and learning to understand traffic and motorist behavior too. This thread has been ridiculous since the first post.

I am glad it has been cloudy for the past week. I am getting in some good miles.

Being afraid of "outside riding" is akin to being afraid of "outside fishing". Sure, you can fake it inside, but you must either overcome your fears, or pick another thing to not fully enjoy.

Still no activity anywhere by the OP since the 11th of February when he made his 11 posts. Hmm, is that 11 and 11 coincidence? Maybe not.

Cheers

He grew a pair and now ​he is out there, living his best life on the two wheels.