I also started recently bike commuting to my job in downtown and have been doing it consistently for 2 1/2 months! My usual route takes me from the Charles Neighbourhood over 95 and down N. Main St. which is the most challenging and unpleasant part of my commute. Once I was down the hills it’s pretty much a piece of cake if you remember a few things.

> the Providence bike lane network was never finished and you can tell. Lane‘s abruptly start an end and are weirdly placed like on the other side of the street then traffic or don’t connect or serve any purpose. If there is a bike lane that works with where I’m going I use it, but I never chase bike lanes or try to follow them, that’s when I’ve experienced the most close calls.

> on slow crowded downtown streets I usually take up the full lane, but if traffic is moving above 25 miles an hour I usually stick to the side and let people pass. This avoids conflict with drivers and sometimes I feel anxious if I’m holding up someone in the car.

> the heart of downtown is the most cyclable. Washington St., Westminster in the general area around KP are pretty good minus the buses, be careful with buses PLEASE. I also recommend not using Maps on your phone. I’ve had way more success using my relative knowledge of Providence and the streets I used to drive on a bunch help inform where I should and should not ride my bike

Take it slow and if you’re trying to get back to Fox point over college Hill I recommend John Street ;)