Commuting through unsavory areas?

[bikesNgsd]

Hi all!

I'm new to bikes, and thus new to commuting (as in...no commute as of yet!). I like in upstate NY and we are closing in on WINTER (ICK!) fast. I am bound and determined to try and get a few commutes to work before I throw in the towel for the year.

Unfortunately, my city is not at all bike friendly and it's an overall challenge finding acceptable routes. Even more unfortunately for me: while my husband and I live in a nice suburb, my commute would be directly through the ghetto....with no way around (at least not one that involves a 40 mile detour). Biking would actually shave 3 miles off my commute...currently it's 8 miles in the car, but quite quick and I hop on the interstate bypass and am work in no time. Going through the city makes it just about 5 miles, which isn't bad at all. Oh, but those neighborhoods!!

I would be going in the early morning (leaving probably around 5:30). I don't imagine too many unsavory characters are up at this time....but then again it's also almost pitch black (which I guess brings up the topics of biking in the dark on your commute). I'd be coming home around 4.

I guess I'd like to hear through other people that might have rough commutes...what do you do? A coworker said he's never take his road bike on a commute to our workplace. When he lived closer, he'd always ride his cheap hybrid (at least cheap compared to his Madone). I guess I could do that too, but then again, I kind of feel like the defeats the purpose of me buying a decent bike in the first place!

I feel like there are so many logistics! It's almost overwhelming....

[Thorn]

My underlying theme on my commute is: there are good people in bad neighborhoods and bad people in good neighborhoods. No place is 100% bad or good.

I commute through a neighborhood that is questionable. Perhaps not the toughest area of town, but it comes a close second. I ride through at 5:30AM and again on the way home.

To be honest, I've had *way* fewer issues in the bad neighborhood during my commute than the "good" area. In the "bad" area, at the time I go through, people are going to/coming from work. When they see a bike, they give me room. In the "good" area, cars come too close and turn in front of me. Many days I prefer the "bad" neighborhood.

Don't get me wrong, I have had issues in the rouger end of town. A couple of late teen/twenty somethings thought it would be fun to try to scare the biker; there was the morning with the guy in the middle of the road; etc. But, overall, I rarely feel uncomfortable. And, you know, in the "bad" neighborhood, there are actually people out on bus corners, so you are never really alone.

Now, if I were going through at 10PM, I'd probably feel differently, but during commute time....you're just another commuter. And, there are other neighborhoods I wouldn't go through at noon. Each is different. You need to consider your city and evaluate.

[IBrakeforPastry]

Since we determined on your other thread that we live in the same area, you can PM me and maybe we can discuss this. I don't live in fear, but there are definitely some neighborhoods that I don't even like driving through in the daytime. It's so sad and disappointing. But, similar to what Thorn said, there seem to be fewer cars in the area, whereas in nicer areas the danger lies in big SUV's and drivers on phones. Different poisons.

I may not be able to answer tonight (I really should get off this computer), but maybe tomorrow. Stay warm and dry!

[shootingstar]

IBrake...I have earned a middle-class income....and have lived in neighbourhoods with some drug dealing, etc.

I think the greater concern is whether or not at that time of the early morning cars expect a cyclist at all. It might surprise them...so make sure equip yourself well with lights on your bike, high visitiblity jacket, etc.

Ride confidently and don't ride a flashy /expensive bike...and you will be fine. Choose routes that aren't too isolated, with street lighting, and where people wouldn't hang out at corners..instead of waiting for a traffic light to change. What I would not do, is stop if a stranger calls out to me for something....and they don't look in distress at all. Cold, but my own personal safety needs to come first.

I have lived in nice neighbourhoods where there is drug dealing (well, professionals have money....and some of them indulge) and in a building where we lived, a nice one, there was a marajuana grow-op!

I've lived in cities over 1 million over the past 30 years. And I am living in one now.

I actually feel alot safer on a bike in any neighbourhood when it's quiet or dark..compared to walking in such areas. I always have.

[Melalvai]

Biking the dark is fun. More lights is better. Redundant lighting is good because if a battery runs out on one light you have others as backup. I love my reelights because a) no batteries and b) I don't have to remember to turn them off.

[tzvia]

It is kinda like walking through such a neighborhood, with the obvious difference being that you are on the street (please nobody ride on the sidewalk-it's much more dangerous for cyclists than the street) and moving faster. What I mean is, that the same basic things apply; ride (or walk) with purpose, know where you are going and go in a straight line at a good clip. Keep your head UP and keep aware of the surroundings, both to track traffic and any characters that look out-of-place or unduly interested in you. You see something that doesn't look or feel right, guess what, it probably isn't right so make sure you know the area and how to get out of that spot (don't turn on to another street to THEN discover it is a dead end or turns in the wrong direction.) Keep the expensive road bike at home and take a hybrid or commuter. Wear sweatpants and a tee shirt, and no visible expensive jewelery/watch. You might want to keep a pepper spray on the handlebar, if allowed in your state or city. Maybe take the car through this neighborhood at the time you intend to ride it, look around and see if it looks quiet, or if there are gangs hanging out or a lot of traffic.

Keep your visibility UP, I know nothing bugs me more when I am in the car, than a cyclist with a death wish, wearing dark clothing and with no lights or reflectors, cutting across the street in front of me at 6am like a drunken sailor. Bright lights, front and back, that have some side spillage, reflectors on the bike and you, and a light on the helmet if possible. I bought reflective tape by 'NATHAN' that is just awesome and put it all over my helmet. I then got some red and yellow reflective tape and put it on the chainstays and fork, and 'lightweights' reflective tape and put it on all the spokes. A Nightrider 600 lumen front light, Magicshine and Dinotte taillights, NATHAN reflective vest and reflective leg bands, red blinker on the downtube and L&M Stella 150 on the helmet turn me into Disneyland on wheels. If someone misses seeing me they are blind. No, the stuff was not cheap; I could have bought a bike for what I spent on lights and reflectors, but when I leave home now it is DARK. There are no street lights for the first mile of my ride, and while the rest is well lit, that just means my lights have to be brighter and the reflectors of better quality, to compete with the storefronts and streetlights. Frankly, it looks kinda funny but that's ok. Cars give me room. Pedestrians at the lights have mentioned I was very visible from blocks away. I would venture a guess that more cyclists are injured by cars that did not see them, than by unsavory characters.

[Crankin]

I agree with Tzvia. Although I don't commute through "unsavory" areas, I do ride at 5-6:30 AM, mostly in places with no streetlights. And I drive in a lot of bad areas for my job, and I have thought about how I would ride there. Sometimes I think it's overkill, but generally, I have my very bright front light and 2 blinkies in the back, as well as a blinking ankle band. I also wear a Nathan reflective vest when the ride is in total darkness, like at this time of the year. Sometimes I put another blinkie on my back, clipped to my vest or jacket. Last week I rode to the gym and I have to cross a highway at about 5 AM; my bike does not trigger the signal and there are rarely any other cars going my way. There is a walk signal at both the curb and again the median; when it was light or even semi light, I could ride across the highway to the median, as there's rarely any traffic going that way, and then I press the button to get across the second half. Well, it was pitch dark and I realized I needed to really press the signal for the first half, as I felt uncomfortable. But, the pole/signal was on the sidewalk and I already had my bike sort of parallel to the highway, by the cross walk. Because I was so lit up, a car, far away, actually stopped to let me get across, although he didn't have to. I *know* he saw me.
I won't put reflective tape on my road bikes, for the obvious reasons, but I have worn my hiking headlight (not a huge one) on my helmet. It really doesn't help me see, but I think it lets others see me. There isn't a lot of traffic or hardly any cars when I first go out, but by the time I return, there is a steady stream of people heading to work. And delivery trucks unloading at the stores/restaurants in the town center. Once in awhile I feel like I'd like some side visibility, but I haven't found a solution that's not permanent or a lot of money. At one point I had a blinkie on the side and now I'm wondering why I took it off.

[tzvia]

Yes the light on the head is my 'aggressive' be seen light. 150 lumens in your eyes if I think you don't see me. I tilt my head in your direction, like I am just 'looking' at you and oh so sorry I got that light in your eyes... Awake now? Good, put down that smart phone and pay attention. :D

I'm on the beat-em-up commuter (an REI steel Novara) so I don't mind the reflective tape on the frame. All the better it makes the bike look really cheesy even though it was not cheap and I like it (it does ride nice and has a wheelset I had made for it and has SRAM parts). It got it's first "dark morning" checkup and wash today. Deep charge (instead of the top off charges at work) for all the rechargeable lights, new AA and AAA for the frame lights, replace the old looking reflective tape, scrub of drivetrain and lube chain, wash, adjust and inspect including for foreign object in the tires, check the repair kit and replenish the patch kit. So I guess regular maintenance should also be included- don't want to be stuck broken down in a less than comfy neighborhood. Sometimes it can't be helped, but having a frayed shift cable break instead of noticing it and replacing it, or having a tube puncture from something that worked it's way in just sucks, as it is totally avoidable.

Oh, and it does not hurt to know of 'safe areas' along the route. Well lit busy areas that are close by, like a 24 hr minimart, police station or firehouse.

[bikesNgsd]

Thanks for the hints. I'm well in tune (unfortunately) with the amount of crime that happens in the neighborhoods I would meander through. There is one area I could go around to that is slightly more industrial that overall has less crime issues than other areas, but being less populated I'm not sure if that would necessarily be a good idea either. And really I'm not worried about middle class areas that might have on the side drug dealers...that's not the type of crime I'm worried about....but rather the areas where violent crime (whether drug related or not) is common.

I'll definitely be looking into the lights and reflective strips! And the advice on the replair kits and double checking everything before you leave is great too, thanks!

I was also thinking the days I commute I'd only have my scan card for work and my cell phone in one of those "passport holders" that straps under your clothing and leave the wallet at home.

[OakLeaf]

I'd just add one more comment about visibility: IMO, none is better than a little. I think a lot of cyclists are unaware of target fixation because (1) we ride with our backs to traffic and (2) most of us haven't taken a traffic skills course in a long time. Running (and personal experience with target fixation on the moto :rolleyes:) has taught me that probably nine times out of ten, when a motorist buzzes me on the bike - and when a pedestrian or cyclist actually gets creamed by a car - it's because of target fixation. What I've learned running is that drivers need between one and two tenths of a mile to recover from target fixation. IOW, if your visibility aids mean that someone first sees you at 1/10 mile instead of at 100 feet, you're more likely to get hit, because when they first see you they'll steer toward you, and they won't have had time to recover and veer away.

What I mean is, there's no such thing as overkill when it comes to visibility, but "underkill" is a serious problem.

[tealtreak]

I'd just add one more comment about visibility: IMO, none is better than a little. I think a lot of cyclists are unaware of target fixation because (1) we ride with our backs to traffic and (2) most of us haven't taken a traffic skills course in a long time. Running (and personal experience with target fixation on the moto :rolleyes:) has taught me that probably nine times out of ten, when a motorist buzzes me on the bike - and when a pedestrian or cyclist actually gets creamed by a car - it's because of target fixation. What I've learned running is that drivers need between one and two tenths of a mile to recover from target fixation. IOW, if your visibility aids mean that someone first sees you at 1/10 mile instead of at 100 feet, you're more likely to get hit, because when they first see you they'll steer toward you, and they won't have had time to recover and veer away.

What I mean is, there's no such thing as overkill when it comes to visibility, but "underkill" is a serious problem.

I have not taken this class and just recently added blinkys to my road bike after a young lady was hit here in Richmond. I only ride in total daylight; am I better off with out the blinkies ? I always wear neon (and I mean day glow green or yellow - horrifies my daughter)

[OakLeaf]

I think wearing full neon is the best way to go. I don't think blinkies make much of a difference in bright sunlight, but as soon as the shadows get long, a really bright one like my Planet Bike Superflash helps a lot.

[Giulianna23]

I havent had a chance to commute in the last 7 days or so due to the weather but I have bought some rflective clothing and I have added a bunch of lights to my commuter and also planning on buying this vest if possible...still thinking about it though. I don't care if I look like a Xmas tree. I am going to make sure these drivers see me from 3 blocks away! And I am praying for the weather to get better so I can keep commuting until I can handle the temp. Prt of my commute I go through an area that for a lot of people here in Indy is dangerous but for some reason I do not feel unsafe. But I do keep my eyes open...U never know!

[tulip]

Most people everywhere, including criminals in bad neighborhoods, have alot more on their minds than a passing bicyclist. If it makes you feel better, get some data on the types of crimes committed in the area you are worried about. I would bet that there's not alot of stranger crime and that most of it is between people who know each other. Besides, the more you become part of the neighborhood, the more people will start looking out for you (in a good way). I experienced that over six years as a commuter in what many people would consider unsavory areas of Washington, DC. The good people, however, far outnumbered the bad and I never had any problems except one afternoon when some kids tossed a rock into my wheels. They were not out to rob me, just being kids and being stupid--just like in every neighborhood.

[shootingstar]

Most people everywhere, including criminals in bad neighborhoods, have alot more on their minds than a passing bicyclist.
+1

Just this past Sunday, a 20 yr. guy deliberately used his car to knock over an Olympic athlete who was cycling out ...in the suburbs in our city. This was mid-morning. The guy was injured in several different areas of his body to point he will need several months to recover. On a lovely road in a nice neighbourhood with homes 1-5 yrs. old, with a shockingly new, huge and expensive community centre.

One of the local bike store owners ranted how in that area he got stuff thrown at him, cars buzzed very close to him...

I cycled that road on a Sunday 2 months ago...with my dearie. It was a 93 km. round trip day ride from downtown where I live.

Same road where the bee stung my eyelid while I was cycling.

I have lived in neighbourhoods where there was shooting....a 15 min. walk away from home. Does that mean the whole neighbourhood is unsafe? No, because the majority of people who live there are....like most of us. You and me.

Remember you are on a bike, not a woman walking nor jogging alone at night. Very different.

[Crankin]

Yea, today a woman, who was knitting in stopped traffic at a light, took off and purposely almost hit my DH, as he rode home in the rain. In a very nice area. When he caught her and asked if she was trying to kill him, she said," Contrary to what a lot of people believe, cyclists don't own the road."
DH swore at her quite a bit. I've never heard him so angry at a driver.

[Geonz]

I've considered getting pepper spray -- http://www.pepperblaster.com/ is one that the bike class instructor had -- and then considered getting the "training version" instead, especially if I could put something less noxious but very marking ... so that people who "only" threatened me (as with that lady) could get a message. Only considered it so far... and I do want to get my camera set up... but oh, just about *everybody* on my route is friendly to a fault.

[Biciclista]

I have found that rough neighborhoods in my town (Seattle) are more bike friendly than "nice" suburban areas because of the attitudes that they have towards cyclists. The contrast is rather stark and you will just have to try it yourself.
You say the violent crime statistics are quite high in this slum near where you live; I can imagine that is true; but most violence is aimed at other gang members, not at cyclists driving by; so I really think you have less to worry about than you think. Try the morning commutes for starters, and after you start feeling comfortable there; try the scary afternoon commute. REmember, most people in bad neighborhoods are good honest people who are just trying to get by.
good luck.

[shootingstar]

For about 2 years, I cycled by a crowd of folks on my way home from work...usually 15-20 that hung outside a community centre...these were people who were drug addicts, poor.....I didn't worry about them...alot of them are not in the condition to do a fast chase. The community centre specialized in services for these people.

And would you worry if a homeless-looking person came cycling towards you on a bike? Or if there were 2-3 cycling slowly along with their belongings? Or maybe you've never experienced this regularily...

As a cyclist on the road at the same time, I worried the least about these folks because wrongly or rightly, I honestly believe they can cycle out their frustrations on bike, and usually they tried to be more self-sufficient, at least mobility wise, to pick up discarded pop cans for some coin at the recycling depot, etc. and get around town on their own.

In many large North American cities, methinks in suburban areas are truly not accustomed to seeing regular cycling commuters in their area, the roads are usually "less" congested of cars, people. So any deviation for a local resident driver in a hurry, seeing a cyclist in front of makes some people impatient and wrongly angry at the wrong thing (cyclist).

It makes me wonder how many new neighbourhoods are being built without sidewalks. Those neighbourhoods actually scare me at night/in bad weather. I worked out in the suburbs for 3 yrs. and had to walk to the bus stop in an industrial area for 15 min. Over half of the walk had no sidewalks...just dangerous.

Don't buy property in residential areas that don't have a sidewalk. It's not helpful to anyone living there nor to drivers

[skhill]

I live at the slum's edge, basically. And I go through some really "interesting" areas on my daily run at 6am or so. In my experience, the dealers and hookers and gangsters are almost always off the streets at that hour. I've run into the occasional drunk/ high person, but very rarely. The few people out at that hour are respectable hard-working folk just going to work. So it's really no big deal. Now in the evening it's a different story; up until sunset I'll go almost anywhere on bike (but not on foot). After sunset I'm a bit pickier.

The good news: at least where I live, there are a lot of people who use bikes as their only vehicle in these very poor neighborhoods. The bad news: most of them have no idea about the rules of the road or how to ride safely. Like stopping for lights and stop signs and riding with traffic....

[Crankin]

I go to see my clients at their homes and I do a lot my work in a city where there's a high number of immigrants who use bikes as transportation. The city recently has put a whole lot of effort into painting bike lanes, sharrows, and signs with bikes that say "bikes may take the full lane." Great, except almost none of the people riding there have any concept of the rules of the road for cycling, and I continue to see almost 100% of the riders going against traffic, through very complicated intersections, hopping across to sidewalks, and of course, not wearing a helmet.
There is a large university in this city, but I don't think many of the students ride. I want to say something to someone, but since I have had dealings with other aspects of the city government, I doubt anyone would listen, as I don't live there. I hate driving in this city, as the drivers are worse than the cyclists. After my car accident a few months ago, the other driver, who faked being injured, got to the 2 witnesses (probably with drugs), and they decided to find us equally at fault. It didn't harm my insurance rating or add points, but this just gives you a feel for the way things work!