First Time Rider – Nervous About City Traffic, Any Tips?
Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2025 9:22 pm
I’m totally new to riding – just passed my basic motorcycle safety course last week and picked up a used 2017 Honda CB500F as my first bike. Super excited, but also kind of nervous...
I’ve been riding around my neighborhood and quieter back roads to build confidence, but I know I’ll eventually need to tackle busier streets and downtown traffic (I live in a mid-sized city in the U.S.). Honestly, the thought of riding in stop-and-go traffic or being surrounded by impatient drivers kind of freaks me out.
So I’m wondering:
Ride safe
I’ve been riding around my neighborhood and quieter back roads to build confidence, but I know I’ll eventually need to tackle busier streets and downtown traffic (I live in a mid-sized city in the U.S.). Honestly, the thought of riding in stop-and-go traffic or being surrounded by impatient drivers kind of freaks me out.
So I’m wondering:
- How did you build confidence with city riding?
- Any specific tips for handling intersections, stoplights, or lane filtering?
- What’s the biggest “mistake” beginners tend to make in traffic situations?
Ride safe