Road bike suggestions for a beginner

I ride on a 2017 Trek Al Domane II and it is a great beginner bike. It is easy to use, low maintenance (knock on wood), and is great for both pushing it on a straightaway and an easy Sunday ride. Obviously, YMMV, but I cannot recommend the bike enough for someone who is simply looking to get into the sport.

Short answer: no. Every time you ride you're taking a risk that some irate douche or distracted teenager is going to barrel over you. All you can do is wear hi-vis stuff, follow the rules, and stay aware. With that said, I wouldn't let it push you away from the hobby. I bike on the trace here on the northshore but I'm not sure if there's anything similar where you are.

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a) make sure of a good fit and that may take the assistance of a good bikeshop until you learn what all goes into making that determination yourself. It's far from as simple as standover height and a bad fit will result in a bad experience and may get you hurt. If a bikeshop has you standover a bike and declares "it fits" and let's it go at that - leave.

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I agree with fit being important. When I was riding, I loved tinkering with my road bike fit, and fit on my TT/tri bike was something I spent hours and thousands on getting better. However at entry level dollar value, I just don't think you are going to get a lot from any bike shop. It's mostly going to be standover height and maybe a suggestion to swap to a shorter/longer stem and moving some headset spacers. And obviously thats 90% of it, but they aren't dialing in your best form....just making you comfortable to buy the bike. I'm in Houston and had a lot of options and got to know some of the bike shops enough that I could have some detailed fit conversations. But that was because I did my own research, had knowledge, and built a relationship. If you are going in off the street, you are really only going to get that attention at a specialized fitter and to a beginner, their prices are going to be as much as some want to spend on a bike

Any suggestions for some beginner bibs that are decent quality but not $170?

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will probably end up with the trek if I can find one in my size once I'm ready to pull the trigger.