I have a very short commute in a "suburban" area with poor roads. (I've always had a personal policy of living within an hour's walk to work.) I go pretty slow (37 pound commuter), stay out of the traffic lane if I can, and choose side streets whenever possible. Yes, I prefer to have the whole damned road to myself...and I often do.
__________________
--
-=- '05 Jamis Nova -=- '04 Fuji Absolute -=- '94 Trek 820 -=- '77 Schwinn Scrambler 36/36 -=-
Friends don't let friends use brifters.