First Time Rider – Nervous About City Traffic, Any Tips?

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effertz
Tricycle Squid
Tricycle Squid
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Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2025 9:14 pm
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My Motorcycle: 2023 Rebel 500 rider

First Time Rider – Nervous About City Traffic, Any Tips?

#1 Unread post by effertz »

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:
  • 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?
Appreciate any advice from those of you who’ve been through this already!
Ride safe
Just getting started — Learning every mile!
“Ride your own ride, and enjoy the journey.”
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