I won't even enter the above discussion, but I must say I rarely feel unsafe or creeped out when I ride alone. I live in a suburb that's a little rural, but there's tons of riders around, houses, and cars. I have my phone and I generally let someone know what route I'm going on if I'm alone. I used to live a little further west of here when I started riding, but again, even though it was a little more sparse, not like rural in other parts of the country.
The most creeped out I have ever felt is when I was riding with DH and our friends in Barre/Hubbardston, MA, which is very rural. We were on the way back to our car and tired. DH and my friend's DH were ahead, I was in the middle, and my friend far behind. I couldn't see any of them, although DH was not that far ahead. A pick up came by and 2 creepy guys yelled out, "Nice azz." It was disconcerting, but when I got to where DH was waiting, he informed me they yelled the same thing to him and the other male! Equal opportunity, I guess.
I don't live in fear and won't let it rule my life. Cyclists are all over on the roads here. I also don't put myself in stupid situations, like walking around Harvard Square at 3 AM... 2 rapes in the past 10 days. Yeah, well, don't hang out in the city at 3 AM.