I try to avoid as many of the commuter roads as possible to cut down on my traffic interaction. Take mostly "back roads" and dirt trails around main commuter routes.
I am an ice hockey referee, but, for money I work as a computer programmer. I use my bike for cross training. I ride a "hybrid". When the weather gets nice (mid spring through mid fall), rather than train indoors on my nordic track I'll use the bike. I like getting a workout in, going to and from work (killing 2 birds with 1 stone). I am considering joining a local bike club to get into some 'serious' training.