Notes to newbie cyclists

Either
Cycle on the pavement until you've got your confidence up, being courteous to other pavement users.

Or
Cycle assertively in the road, not causing bother, but acknowledging you have as much right to be there as any other form of transport.

But
Do not be a wuss and cycle close to the kerb such that when the road bends slightly and you fail to notice, you find your wheels grinding on the kerbside, panic, slam on the brakes, and promptly come off the bike sideways.

Just a purely hypothetical scenario, you understand.