Normally I stick to the back roads during the summer since traffic is less and generally slower. As I was riding in today, I'm becoming aware how difficult it is for cars to get around me in the winter since I have no choice but to take a lane with how they maintain most of our roads around here. Would it be more courteous / safer to pick a main route that is a 4 lane road so people won't have the issues getting around me?

Take the lane and enjoy your ride.

Yea, I've been taking the lane and it works out pretty well for the most part (except when people think they can share the tire tracks I'm riding in).

I actually had someone follow me for over a mile last night growing increasingly irate (meaning they started honking longer and longer). I didn't have a good place to pull over, but it got me thinking that there might be a better way I wasn't considering.

For me it depends on the speed limit of the multi-lane road. If it's only 50km/h and the back roads are really bad (i.e. require studded tires which I do not own) I will take a main road. Also, you shouldn't have any compunction about taking the lane, as 10Wheels said

My experience is exactly the same. I normally take backish roads during the summer. We have one that loops almost all the way from my house to my office and it's one of those pseudo two laners. Big enough for two lanes, but no markings. So I 'take' the right lane and cars have no trouble or issue passing in the the left. All that changes in the winter. In the winter the "right lane" is now 3 or 4" of loose and semi packed snow. If I ride on the left lane cars can't pass.
However, the main roads have both lanes cleared. I find riding the right lane, cars for the most part have no problem passing on the left. You always get that one jerk that has to make a big production of how put out they are to have to go around you (i generally find motorists less tolerant in the winter).
The worst part of my commute is the parts between main roads at the beginning and end.

I simply cannot move fast enough to keep pace on the major roads in the winter. Plus with growing snow berms on the side of the road that eventually reach over my head in places there's no safety margin and no room for anyone to maneuver. It's much less stressful to use my "B" routes along the side roads.

Ultimately, though, I have to go with what's cleared off. If the sidewalk is good but the road full of cornmeal snow then I'll take the sidewalk. Or visa versa.

I live and work in the city, so maybe it's different for me than for others.

I stick to the main streets since they're plowed and salted better. Side streets aren't plowed for a couple of days after a snow, which lets hardpack turn to re-freeze which is about the worst stuff to ride on.

Main streets in bad weather, side streets in clear.

I generally take the smallest roads I can find. Fortunately, these roads tend to be quite scenic with very few cars. If there's someone stuck behind me (i.e. no room to pass), I'll just pull over and let them by. It's a win-win, IFAIAC. They get to pass me with minimal fuss, and I get to enjoy the scenery again without being disturbed by a car. The roads don't get so bad here that it makes much difference either way. I suppose if the small roads were truly terrible, I'd have to rethink my position.

Back roads unless they're totally impassable. Main roads are just a barrage of aggressiveness here and the volume of traffic makes it that much unsafer, i don't mind being passed occasionally but when you get 50-100 cars squeezing you in between a snowbank and the tire-tracks it just gets nuts and really increases your chances of being hit. The one caveat would be if this main road has exceptionally wide lanes.

Anyways, when you encounter people who honk at you and are too chicken-**** to pass or are driving with bald tires and will instantly lose control when they leave the tire-tracks... slow down and move to the right then stop if necessary. Winter cycling isn't a race so stopping for 2 seconds to let a motorist by who is making trouble is well worth it.

Whichever you pick be safe and enjoy doing it.

+1

Sometimes side streets become impassable to bicycles when car tyre ruts freeze into concrete-like berms. If your city is anything like mine, they concentrate on keeping the main roads clear and the rest have to fend for themselves.

Sounds like its at least worth giving the main roads a try. The side streets were pretty bad today, some clear spots and lots of bumpy ice / hard pack snow. I'd rather be on all hard back than this stuff.

try a little of each and see what works for you. find a balance between your enjoyment and being courteous to the drivers. sometimes you have to inconvenience them, and they just have to deal, but if that takes away from your enjoyment - then you might enjoy riding on other roads more

I tested my "commute" yesterday which is a mix of roads. I enjoyed the back roads because they were quiet with fewer cars and a nicer quality snow. the faster roads were more clear of snow and faster.

Well, I didn't do well on the main roads. People seem to be more impatient and if they can't get around me right away they get quite irate. Sticking with the back roads for now.

Agree with this. I find also that immediately after snow I am the fastest thing on the road along with other cyclists! In winter on slippery roads you want to be taking the lane as cars can skid easily.