Things you need : -

A Helmet, been knocked over twice, it forced me into. I would like to point out that I was on the pavement at the time and the two drivers were ignoring the lane they wanted to turn into i.e. looking only one way as they pulled out. This was within about 10 meters of each other, it was the one nightmare of that journey to work. The road is not wide enough so if you add a bike into the mix, you end up on the pavement anyway.

Glasses, try riding without them.

Gloves, might want two pairs one with fingers and one without.

Lights and a vest, see above, that was in broad daylight. They do not pay attention so make sure they can see you, for the lawyers if nothing else..

In the Uk we can get something called slime. You can put it in your tyres and it makes them harder to puncher. I use their strips which go inside a wheel and their pre-filled tubes. Also I have spare complete wheels at home and carry a spare tube with me. It is so much easier to just swap out the tube.

A front or rear carrier, rucs get old real quick. Let the bike do the carrying.

Scout your route out. Cars cannot go though parks etc, you will find lots of short cuts.