That is why I have told a few cyclists "Stick to the curb, or you'll stick to the pavement."
I briefly considered (and attempted) commuting to work about a decade ago by bicycle instead of driving. It was about a 2 mile "trek" -- one main road (6-lane, with bike lanes and sidewalks), and one side road to the office.
I made the attempt once. FUCK THAT. Never again:
If you're stupid enough to try to ride in an actual lane of traffic, you're begging for death -- you can't keep up with traffic, you're pissing everyone off, and it's inevitable someone either doesn't see you or just decides "fuck it" and smacks into you.
If you think "okay I'll just hug the curb" -- every storm drain will try to eat your front tire and kill you. Every driveway or turnout will fuck with your tire's grip in a different way (everyone builds their construction project differently, hires different shitty contractors, using different shitty equipment and materials, etc.) and either fling you back into traffic trying to dodge it or pull you down and knock you over.
Then there's the sidewalk. By far it's the "safest" option -- if not for the pedestrians who (rightfully) get pissed at your presence there too and ergo do what they can to obstruct -- but again, every sidewalk is different, no one follows any standards, and there's no guarantee even on a main thoroughfare will reliably have a sidewalk on both sides for the entire length of your trip.
Fuck that shit. Literally EVERYTHING WANTS YOU DEAD when you're riding a bicycle on public streets. Save it for mountain trails, parks, desert rides, etc.
You're genuinely, unironically safer on a self-balancing electric unicycle traveling on public roadways. At least those fucking things can hit main street speeds, have lots of "oomph" and braking power, and leave you far more mobile and get the fuck out of your way if you have to bail.
