It is kinda like walking through such a neighborhood, with the obvious difference being that you are on the street (please nobody ride on the sidewalk-it's much more dangerous for cyclists than the street) and moving faster. What I mean is, that the same basic things apply; ride (or walk) with purpose, know where you are going and go in a straight line at a good clip. Keep your head UP and keep aware of the surroundings, both to track traffic and any characters that look out-of-place or unduly interested in you. You see something that doesn't look or feel right, guess what, it probably isn't right so make sure you know the area and how to get out of that spot (don't turn on to another street to THEN discover it is a dead end or turns in the wrong direction.) Keep the expensive road bike at home and take a hybrid or commuter. Wear sweatpants and a tee shirt, and no visible expensive jewelery/watch. You might want to keep a pepper spray on the handlebar, if allowed in your state or city. Maybe take the car through this neighborhood at the time you intend to ride it, look around and see if it looks quiet, or if there are gangs hanging out or a lot of traffic.
Keep your visibility UP, I know nothing bugs me more when I am in the car, than a cyclist with a death wish, wearing dark clothing and with no lights or reflectors, cutting across the street in front of me at 6am like a drunken sailor. Bright lights, front and back, that have some side spillage, reflectors on the bike and you, and a light on the helmet if possible. I bought reflective tape by 'NATHAN' that is just awesome and put it all over my helmet. I then got some red and yellow reflective tape and put it on the chainstays and fork, and 'lightweights' reflective tape and put it on all the spokes. A Nightrider 600 lumen front light, Magicshine and Dinotte taillights, NATHAN reflective vest and reflective leg bands, red blinker on the downtube and L&M Stella 150 on the helmet turn me into Disneyland on wheels. If someone misses seeing me they are blind. No, the stuff was not cheap; I could have bought a bike for what I spent on lights and reflectors, but when I leave home now it is DARK. There are no street lights for the first mile of my ride, and while the rest is well lit, that just means my lights have to be brighter and the reflectors of better quality, to compete with the storefronts and streetlights. Frankly, it looks kinda funny but that's ok. Cars give me room. Pedestrians at the lights have mentioned I was very visible from blocks away. I would venture a guess that more cyclists are injured by cars that did not see them, than by unsavory characters.
Tzvia- rollin' slow...
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