Riding in traffic is life or death decision-making. I have to be in a state of constant alert. The adrenaline is galvanizing! I get from Point A to Point B and I really feel ALIVE!
I live in a university town where they just took part of the roadway on many streets to make bike lanes all over town. They also passed a law that people in cars can't shout anything out of the windows at the bike riders.
Sounds like your in a larger city. Consider a helmet if you don't have one.
Happy riding!