[jyl]

There are a couple of tires with Kevlar strips for flat resistance. I use Armadillos. Gotta have one of those, a flat when you're trying to get to work is way irritating.

Be super visible. Red LED blinky on rear of helmet and one on bike. White LED blinky of front of helmet and one on bike. The blinkys cost like $10 each. Yellow jacket, no ninja-wear. Go get a pack of reflective tape and stick it on your helmet, jacket, bike, bag, etc. I ride in at 5 am so have a torch of a headlight, you might or might not need one.

Good idea to find the best route, is there local bike commute group or map?

The biggest hazard in traffic, I think, is being right hooked. Car turns right at intersection or driveway, runs over you in the bike lane or you slam into his passenger door. Handle same way as on a motorcycle - don't ride next to or in the blind spot of a car - but of course it sucks when you have to scrub off speed to do this.

Have fun!