Hell NO, I'm not kidding. The expansion cracks in that concrete sidewalk are a nuisance but still better than 50 mph distracted drivers. I've seen drivers tapping on their steering wheel mounted iPad weave into the breakdown lane I was occupying. Old guys driving 40 in a 55 but in the breakdown lane to let regular traffic pass totally oblivious I was there (I had to jump off the bike to get myself & bike over a high curb).
I ride in the city all the time, street riding is fun when I can keep up with traffic, have a wide shoulder or reasonable sidewalk. Any road over 45 mph needs a sidewalk or I avoid it. Call me a wimp but any accident at my age would be the end of cycling for me.
Your age? I'm 59, you must be way older then me...either that or I'm way crazier then you!!!
Like I said earlier, traffic buzzing by me at 55+ doesn't bother me the least bit...unless all I have to ride on is a white line then that can be a bit nerve racking; I've done that but I try to avoid those roads unless it's a long straight lightly traveled road then it doesn't bother me.
In over 40 years of riding I never had an encounter with a car going over 45 while I'm on the shoulder or breakdown lane that made me want to jumb the curb or ride onto the grassy area to avoid contact; and that's even with semi's zooming past! Not saying it can never happen, but it just hasn't happened to me.
Because I like the adventure I go places only higher speed roads go, I do short distance touring trips on a bicycle, those trips take me on roads where traffic is often exceeding 55, I can't be bothered by avoiding some road or I might as well give up cycling and take up basket weaving...I'm too young to learn how to basket weave!!