This route takes about half a mile off my commute home. But it also goes through Harvard Square, and a significant chunk of it is on Mass Ave. Is that terrible?

About what’s terrible: I’ve been having a better time than I’d expected on large roads, thanks at least in part to the relatively new bike lanes along many of the busier stretches. I’m fine with car traffic, as long as they’re not being jerks—and, again, I’ve been pleasantly surprised so far. Still, these are pretty busy areas, so perhaps someone has sage advice?

(For the curious, this is my current route home. I like it just fine, but the route I’m considering has a long stretch of biking along the river, plus it’s possible that Mass Ave is actually flatter than Elm St between Somerville Ave and Porter Square.)