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.