is it safe for me to ride a bike?

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I am not allowed to drive a car.
So now I brought a bike two days ago, because usually I walk when I need to go somewhere, but only a distance up to 3.5 kilometers.
From disability I have a free pass for the bus and metro.
I never take the bus, it's impossible for me, but sometimes I do take the metro for one specific traject in a specific time-frame, when it is usually nearly empty and I always sit at the same spot.
Sometimes I have too much overload just thinking about taking the metro and do not do it.
A bike could help me to be more mobile, but I do have problems with it.
I did ride yesterday and today in company and what is happening is, that I somehow zoom in into too much visual details around so that I lose track of the road and other people on the road (they are scary anyway).
It can for example be a turning wheel of a car where my focus gets onto and I follow it and do not see the road anymore and bump into something.

I had this problem already as a child, I did drive the bike a lot, but felt a lot on the ground because of this "zooming into detail", I had two crashes with a car because of it, and bumped into walls and trees and streetlights and traffic signs and stuff.
But where I lived as a child there was not a lot of traffic, it was a small village, now I live in a real big city.

Second when I have to turn my head to look for example for an approaching car, I lose track of all the other information and looking back straight forward makes me getting disorientated for a while.

So I wonder if it is safe for me to ride a bike.
Does anyone share this experiences and knows advice how to manage this or doesn't share this experience and knows advice how to manage it?
edit: correction of typo in title of post

I've been a mountain biker, bmx'er & dirt jumper for about half my life by this point... I think what you're explaining is known rather commonly as "tunnel vision", I get it a LOT, particularly if my glasses slip or if I'm really in the zone.

Bikes are plenty safe, you just need points of reference to fixate on. When I pick lines on trails they're always similar to the last time I rode them.

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Thanks you, but how to manage with moving and unpredictable traffic,
because I also was - I think that's what you mean with point of reference - staring the back of the person accompanying me as a point of reference, anyway I did stare on it, but then all the rest around me does not show up in my consciousness somehow anymore,
and that's why psychologists also told me not to drive a car,
I do not anticipate as one should, "put myself into others minds" and zone out unvoluntarily (like also in onversation and stuff).
How do points of reference combine with traffic, this is what I need to manage.

It's stimulus overselectivity, not being able to direct attention to the whole environment.
Is there a safe place you can practice, like a park or a bicycle trail?
You already have the bike. With practice you may gain more confidence and better ability to be more attentive to the environment.
It's better to get that kind of practice before riding alongside traffic.
I know what you mean about getting disoriented when looking back. I try to avoid changing lanes while driving because of that, but it helps to practice being attentive.
You shouldn't ride alongside traffic until you know confidently that you can do it safely.

Thank you Marybird,
there are two parks in close neighbourhood, one is very big but further away but the road getting there is quite straight and calm and a marked way for bicycles,
the other one is smaller but very close to where I live (maybe a kilometer), but many little streets to get there, distracting,
so I pick the first one, as I also went there two days ago,
distracting were the people there walking and riding the bike, I once ended up in a bush, but it was ok, no harm happened.
I will go there more often to practice, it is much safer than the road anyway.
I read for the first time the term stimulus overselectivity I guess,
I will look it up.

Thank you, Marybird, I looked it up1.

I can drive, but I cannot ride a bike in the street (called the "road" in England).

I would be really careful about riding a bike on British roads--they're so narrow! I would have to get used to driving in the UK, though I wouldn't rule out driving there. I would never ride a bike on British roads, no less US roads.

As for bike-only paths, I would take normal precautions. I would practice to gain confidence. I would bring somebody with me for the first few trips.

Many autistic people are able to ride bikes successfully (and to drive).

Who knows? Maybe you could do better than you expect to do. It would certainly give you a measure of independence.

I wouldn't ride my bike at night until I get LOTS of practice.

Thank you kraftiekortie,
I want to gain more independance and will practice in the park.
What Marybird wrote about stimulus overselectivity refers to many aspects I encounter,
I hope I can broaden my brains ability.

Practice is always broadening.

I like it that you're determined to improve yourself, rather than merely stay the same.

How safe you are on a bike is all based on how well you can control yourself on one. if this is the first time on a bike, then I would recommend you go to a wide open field that's mostly flat, avoid anything with hills. take it slow and learn to use the breaks properly. if your bike has to hand breaks. make sure to engage the rear one first, otherwise you will wipe out of you apply the front one before the rear. You might consider putting on training wheels. BTW: if anybody ask why you have training wheels on your bike? Just tell them that it for you little brother and it too much work to take them off.

You don't really know until you try. Don't try it on an open stretch of road though, practice first in a secluded area. Be sure to wear a helmet as well, they may look dorky, but they have saved countless lives.

Also, if you have someone who can teach you how to ride a bike, ask them about it. It may seem like a silly thing for an adult to ask about, but don't worry about it. If Canada's Worst Driver is anything to go by, there are people who have gotten their drivers licenses without knowing how to ride a bike.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhBLCiigg1k[/youtube]

Sorry! I had to do this.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GugsCdLHm-Q[/youtube]

I would say, to answer your question, its up to you and what your comfortable with. I'd say start small and work you way up.

I however love my bike and have been cycling for about 3-4 years now. I don't know what it is, but I just feel free when I'm out there on my bike. I did have to train myself and work my way up. I normally late at night, you know when there aren't people out..., or early, early, mornings. I have come to realize that anything is possible you just have to try.

Thanks everyone,
I learned to ride a bike in childhood, it took a while but I did finally manage the motorical part (much earlier than for swimming) and I still have the motorical memory, that's ok.
It's the "zooming in" on only one part of the environment and losing control of the rest that makes it hard,
so I go with the practice in the park and the walking when it is too crowded and the helmlet for safety.
@LupaLuna: I had a period of around 4 years where I was listening to Queen excessively!

I also find that zoning out/focusing on irrelevant things is a problem, but I?ve just recently realized that not having the automatic ability to read nonverbal cues from other traffickers is actually the biggest concern considering my and others safety. I seem to lack the automatic focus on invisible cues that give for example a signal whether the bike heading towards me is going to pass and from which side.

As in social situations I try to tackle this nonverbal cue blindness by following the rules, e.g. by staying on the right side of the street, but it doesn?t always help. Still so far so good, I haven?t had an accident although bike is my main mean of transportation, for I don?t either have a driver?s license.

Based on what you wrote I think you can make it too. Good luck on your explorations by bike!