All I can say is that this thread is making me really happy I live in the city. No matter where I go, hundreds of people are there also, and there is virtually zero possibility of being assaulted or even harrassed in any serious way. My fitness riding is in the park where you are going around in circles with a hundred other cyclists, joggers, and roller-bladers going around in circles. I feel so safe all the time. I walk my dog around the neighborhood at 11pm, and I run into others walking their dogs, couples coming home from dinner, etc., etc. I have never felt that I was isolated enough for anyone to get away with an assault.

My sister in rural PA, and my mom in rural FLA, freak out that I ride the bike "alone" and walk the dog "alone". What they don't seem to understand is how much safer it is in the city than where they live. I'm visiting my mom right now, and I honestly couldn't imagine going off on a bike ride here. Too isolated by far...

For those of you who do not feel safe... Follow your instincts, and be as prepared as possible. But, try not to let the fear keep you down. That's letting the bad guys win. If I had no choice but to live in a rural or quiet area, I would take self-defense classes and carry some kind of weapon handy. I carried mace in college.