Commuting through unsavory areas?

[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.

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 ) 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 ) 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.