Here are some tips for the urban cyclist, adapted to KC's situation from a similar list in NYC.

Metal Plates
It's the scourge of KC, even more so for bicyclits than motorists. First, watch out for the bolts or other fasteners that often stick up above the plates. Second, slow down or go around wet plates. Wet metal gives your tires zero traction. Third, watch out for plates sitting on top of the street. They are supposed to be flush or surrounded by an asphalt apron, but this is rarely enforced.

Railroad Tracks
KC was originally a railroad town, and we still have rail crossings all over the place. There are many streets in the urban core with old street car tracks peeking out. Cross tracks as perpendicular as possible, and take extra care when they are wet.

Right on Red
Be very careful if you choose to ride up along the right side of a line of cars. Right on red is legal at most intersections, and it's a good way to get smashed by a turning car.

Hills
This ain't Kansas, at least for most of us, and it sure ain't flat. But they're rolling hills and there is usually a nearby way around. New tools like Google Earth can help you see your route before you set out.

Puddles
With some of our beleaguered sewer pipes dating back to the Civil War, storm drains often back up into the street when it rains. Never ride through a water puddle, because a bike-eating drainage grate could be lurking just under the surface.