New cyclist here!

I'm in the States so I'm sure our rules vary from yours. No matter where I cycle (I've done so thru most of the US, much of Canada, and across Ireland) I find out what the local regulations are. Generally speaking... Ride in the direction of traffic, use hand signals, be courteous, and decide quickly what sort of crossing you plan on doing (in most areas you can either make your left turns and go thru intersections with traffic or in pedestrian walkways).

When I first start road riding in a new locale, I just go out for a short ride first to see how familiar drivers are with cyclists. Where I live (near Chicago) people are pretty kind and relaxed towards bikers. Last summer I was in Cape Cod and the locals seem to HATE cyclists, so I knew I had to have my guard up while on the roads.

Maybe consider checking out a local cycling club, if you have one nearby. I've never joined but they often host invitational group rides and are a wealth of information. Happy riding!

Surviving in traffic requires a couple of things (on top of the occasional dose of luck):

1) Be seen - I tend to wear very bright clothing when riding, I also ride with a blinking led white light to the front and flashing red led on the back of the bike. The lights are cheap (the Planet Bike Blaze 2w LED is under $35 in Canada and their SuperFlash rear light about $19) and standout even in full sunlight.

2) Follow the rules of the road. A bicycle is, in most places, considered a vehicle and cyclists are expected to observe and obey traffic laws the same as any other vehicle on the road, which includes signalling turns, stopping at stop signs etc - be predictable.

3) Ride defensively - don't use your mp3 player while riding (your ears provide you with a great deal of sensory input about your surroundings), watch for cars backing out of driveways, while passing a row of parked cars be cautious - too many drivers don't signal their intention to pull out from the curb. Wear your helmet.

I think the idea of joining a cycling club is a great suggestion, many of them offer refresher learn to ride programs, tips on bike maintenance and organized events for riders of all levels. Last, but not least, buy the right kind of bike for your riding (a mountain bike with knobbly fat tires is perfect for riding trails but takes more energy to ride on a paved surface than a commuter or road bike) and have it fitted properly.