Do you feel this is safe?

[cyclinnewbie]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds. Get me in Seattle, and I'm more uptight, feeling less in control. Get me out in the boonies, and I'm far far more comfortable. I always carry some pepper spray, and my hubby got me a small maglight that I can use for a weapon if needed. Add in my cell phone and my brains, and I feel pretty good. I also ALWAYS listen to my intuition...if something doesn't feel right, I turn around and go a different way. Also, my hubby, who is highly trained in defensive tactics, has schooled me in some self defense moves, so that does a lot to boost one's confidence. I would prefer to ride in solitude in the boonies....you can relax more and enjoy the scenery!

[Zen]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds. Get me in Seattle, and I'm more uptight, feeling less in control. Get me out in the boonies, and I'm far far more comfortable.

Same here. Except substitute the generic "town" for the Seattle part.

I think the jury's in.

[Tuckervill]

It's not all tv hype. Once when I did jury duty, they polled the potential jurors with the question of who has been the victim of a crime, or known someone who was the victim of a crime, and every single person (about 100 people) raised their hands.

That's a pretty broad question, though, depending on what your definition of "crime" is. A bunch of little kids opened the door on my car and stole all my change, and then came into the Wendy's where I was working and bought food with it. Was it a crime? Yes. Was I a "victim"? eh?

I can't imagine anyone who has never ever had something taken from them in some way or another. All "victims" of crime. But it is a matter of degree.

You're right...what risk are you willing to take? What's the benefit of taking the risk? We all have to decide that for ourselves.

If I didn't ride on rural roads, I wouldn't be able to ride at all.

Karen

[Jolt]

This may be counterintuitive, but I feel more ill at ease in crowds.

Same here!

[shootingstar]

When I lived in Toronto (several million people), I commuted solo from suburbs into downtown via ravine park system or another route that was bike path, park, blended with less ravine park, etc. I would start these work commute rides at approx. 6:30 am.

I did it for nearly 10 years, nearly everyday except for winter when I stopped cycling. I lived in a rougher area of town...known for drugs, whatever. On bike, it's being safe with cars around in traffic. You are after all, not a jogger who would be far more vulnerable (and slower).

My thoughts:
*if you ride in isolated areas...vary routes.
*become a strong rider on hills and in speed. For work-commuting, it's never leisurely for me anyway. Especially going to work.
*I don't mountainbike in this areas. Wherever possible, smooth roads /paths to give me speed.

*Did I see/experience stuff? Well, over the years:
-yea, once police were around to pull out something from bushes...
-a burnt-out car/bus on a quiet road. ARson...yep. But this did not freak me out.....I worked for the fire marshal's office...to know that arson....doesn't mean someone is out to hurt a person, just the property.


If I have a choice of safety in quiet areas....most certainly I feel safer as a cyclist speeding along vs. being a pedestrian/jogger.

From the car-less shootingstar....where living in a nicer area still ...there are drug grow-ops even in nice buildings. Crime can be in unexpected places.