From David Fiedler,
Your Guide to Bicycling.
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Choose Appropriate Routes

Let’s face it. There are some roads that are just not suitable for bicycles. Heavy, high-speed traffic on roads with no shoulders are the most common things that will make for unsafe or unpleasant riding.

But there are many other routes that are great for cyclists precisely because they are crummy places for a car to go fast. You may not have even considered them to ride your bike, simply because they are not on your radar as a driver.

For a fun ride or as a potentially sweet route to work or school, look for the less traveled roads that usually parallel main thoroughfares and interstate highways. These probably go through residential neighborhoods, and/or have a lot of stops. Not ideal for a driver in a hurry, but heaven for a person on a bike. Mapquest and GoogleEarth are invaluable tools for charting your route and exploring new ones.

Takin' It To The Streets

So, if you’ve not tried riding beyond the bike path, now may be the time to give it a whirl. Believe it or not – and statistics bear this out – riding on the street is a whole lot safer than a bike path because you’re typically not dodging kids and dogs and roller-bladers. Plus, it’s a great way to discover some awesome places to ride and a new fun way to explore the neighborhoods around you.