Commuting through unsavory areas?

[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.

[shootingstar]

Most people everywhere, including criminals in bad neighborhoods, have alot more on their minds than a passing bicyclist.

+1

Just this past Sunday, a 20 yr. guy deliberately used his car to knock over an Olympic athlete who was cycling out ...in the suburbs in our city. This was mid-morning. The guy was injured in several different areas of his body to point he will need several months to recover. On a lovely road in a nice neighbourhood with homes 1-5 yrs. old, with a shockingly new, huge and expensive community centre.

One of the local bike store owners ranted how in that area he got stuff thrown at him, cars buzzed very close to him...

I cycled that road on a Sunday 2 months ago...with my dearie. It was a 93 km. round trip day ride from downtown where I live.

Same road where the bee stung my eyelid while I was cycling.

I have lived in neighbourhoods where there was shooting....a 15 min. walk away from home. Does that mean the whole neighbourhood is unsafe? No, because the majority of people who live there are....like most of us. You and me.

Remember you are on a bike, not a woman walking nor jogging alone at night. Very different.

[Crankin]

Yea, today a woman, who was knitting in stopped traffic at a light, took off and purposely almost hit my DH, as he rode home in the rain. In a very nice area. When he caught her and asked if she was trying to kill him, she said," Contrary to what a lot of people believe, cyclists don't own the road."
DH swore at her quite a bit. I've never heard him so angry at a driver.

[Geonz]

I've considered getting pepper spray -- http://www.pepperblaster.com/ is one that the bike class instructor had -- and then considered getting the "training version" instead, especially if I could put something less noxious but very marking ... so that people who "only" threatened me (as with that lady) could get a message. Only considered it so far... and I do want to get my camera set up... but oh, just about *everybody* on my route is friendly to a fault.

[Biciclista]

I have found that rough neighborhoods in my town (Seattle) are more bike friendly than "nice" suburban areas because of the attitudes that they have towards cyclists. The contrast is rather stark and you will just have to try it yourself.
You say the violent crime statistics are quite high in this slum near where you live; I can imagine that is true; but most violence is aimed at other gang members, not at cyclists driving by; so I really think you have less to worry about than you think. Try the morning commutes for starters, and after you start feeling comfortable there; try the scary afternoon commute. REmember, most people in bad neighborhoods are good honest people who are just trying to get by.
good luck.

[shootingstar]

For about 2 years, I cycled by a crowd of folks on my way home from work...usually 15-20 that hung outside a community centre...these were people who were drug addicts, poor.....I didn't worry about them...alot of them are not in the condition to do a fast chase. The community centre specialized in services for these people.

And would you worry if a homeless-looking person came cycling towards you on a bike? Or if there were 2-3 cycling slowly along with their belongings? Or maybe you've never experienced this regularily...

As a cyclist on the road at the same time, I worried the least about these folks because wrongly or rightly, I honestly believe they can cycle out their frustrations on bike, and usually they tried to be more self-sufficient, at least mobility wise, to pick up discarded pop cans for some coin at the recycling depot, etc. and get around town on their own.

In many large North American cities, methinks in suburban areas are truly not accustomed to seeing regular cycling commuters in their area, the roads are usually "less" congested of cars, people. So any deviation for a local resident driver in a hurry, seeing a cyclist in front of makes some people impatient and wrongly angry at the wrong thing (cyclist).

It makes me wonder how many new neighbourhoods are being built without sidewalks. Those neighbourhoods actually scare me at night/in bad weather. I worked out in the suburbs for 3 yrs. and had to walk to the bus stop in an industrial area for 15 min. Over half of the walk had no sidewalks...just dangerous.

Don't buy property in residential areas that don't have a sidewalk. It's not helpful to anyone living there nor to drivers