tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8850357627290334956..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Don't Go There? Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-33494447180942739242013-01-26T12:09:06.153-05:002013-01-26T12:09:06.153-05:00Manhattan isn't nearly as dangerous of an envi...Manhattan isn't nearly as dangerous of an environment for cyclists as it was a few years back-- there are excellent protected bike lanes on many of the avenues now, and more being built all the time. That's in addition to the West Side bike path. I took my girlfriend on a tour of Manhattan as her third bike ride on city streets. The infrastructure makes a huge difference.<br /><br />Bikeshare is coming soon, too, to put even more bikes on the road.Alannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21276717475361628712012-12-16T10:53:56.394-05:002012-12-16T10:53:56.394-05:00I don't believe Velouria is referring to drive...I don't believe Velouria is referring to drive-by shootings, if that's what you're thinking. jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02139021799920080826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-30705653870501068052012-12-11T15:32:30.716-05:002012-12-11T15:32:30.716-05:00Arriving a bit late so apologies, but I feel safe...Arriving a bit late so apologies, but I feel safer cycling even in dodgy areas at night. When I was in London there were some 'gangs' who targeted cyclists, particularly morning commuters. They had worked out that many people carried laptops to work. They would either roll out wheelie bins or throw rubbish bags that would surprise the cyclist or even knock them off their bikes. Another trick was to distract the cyclist by running head on chicken-style while an accomplice would take the panier off (Ortlieb style is easy to steal). Until the police sorted them out, it the general advice was to avoid narrow lane ways and stick to larger roads. <br /><br />I've been chased a few times when stopping. I found gearing down before stopping helped as until you build up some speed you are much slower than someone running after you. <br /><br />Some 'broken window' style neighbourhood seem dodgier than others but many muggers target people in wealthier, leafier areas: better gear and often less people in the street. I suppose that a bit a of vigilance and luck help as there is magic formula to not being mugged. <br /><br />O Caoimhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267292930387538851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1179642966031034512012-12-08T23:59:34.949-05:002012-12-08T23:59:34.949-05:00I think people are confusing "scary" wit...I think people are confusing "scary" with "dangerous." Would your correspondent drive through the neighborhood in question? If so, she can bike through it. I wonder how many of the people thinking your correspondent shouldn't ride through a rough area routinely go out on road rides without enough warm layers to avoid hypothermia if they have multiple flats or some other mechanical problem? That seems truly dangerous! <br /><br />However, the best advice above was to use the most flat-resistant tires you can find -- but still know how to change a tire quickly!<br /><br />TeacherladyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-54724369596623641852012-12-07T17:37:36.784-05:002012-12-07T17:37:36.784-05:00This happened to somebody know (knife vs woman on ...This happened to somebody know (knife vs woman on bike):<br /><br /> http://www.villasubrosa.net/essays/knife.htmYokota Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04808661100114872654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81939055795915333322012-12-07T14:26:49.086-05:002012-12-07T14:26:49.086-05:00I'm more worried about reckless or aggressive ...I'm more worried about reckless or aggressive drivers than I am about guns. I am part of a regular commute group which rides through a crime-ridden neighborhood of East Palo Alto (CA) and while rides go through there every day, I have never heard of an incident. On the other hand, there have been regular incidents with drivers on other roads along the route. So I think considering the net risk, I'd rather be on a lightly traveled road through a slightly sketchy neighborhood than on a busy through-way, especially early morning when things tend to be quiet.djconnelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01484858820878605035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-66907050866774411282012-12-07T12:31:13.856-05:002012-12-07T12:31:13.856-05:00My experience is that pedestrians are easier to ca...My experience is that pedestrians are easier to catch than bicyclists; even so it is likely easier to make a 2 mile detour as a bicyclist, so if the woman in question does not actually live in the bad area I would look for a reasonable detour.<br /><br />I agree with the comments that this is all very local; in areas I've lived, women have been more careful than men (they are smaller and easier to intimidate). Glad to hear your experience was different.<br /><br />ADAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43343564872269462432012-12-07T12:09:15.025-05:002012-12-07T12:09:15.025-05:00Martial, even, unless you use your pump for... no,...Martial, even, unless you use your pump for... no, won't go there.DaveUKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60244034135708125452012-12-07T10:19:40.268-05:002012-12-07T10:19:40.268-05:00We live on the poor side of town, so if I want to ...We live on the poor side of town, so if I want to ride, I sort of have to ride in a fairly high crime area. I'll just relate a fun event that we had last week.<br />My son & I ride together, he on his skateboard, & I on my bike. As a teen, he is bothered much more by street kids, so I run interference for him. If we see a group on the street ahead, we turn.<br />Two boys riding on one bike, were passing us from behind, veered toward my son, pushing him off the road, & passing me, but steering clear, laughing at us. I sped up behind them to give them a little "push back" and while watching me from behind, they ran into a construction marker that was blocking a sink hole in the street. They went into the hole & did an "endo" onto the dirt, and we tootled by them grinning.<br />See, sometimes there is justice. Davehttp://davidnewtonguitars.squarespace.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-1741112700219050252012-12-07T07:39:14.215-05:002012-12-07T07:39:14.215-05:00I never EVER use isolated MUPs or bike paths alone...I never EVER use isolated MUPs or bike paths alone in urban areas except during the early morning hours. I'd much rather ride my bike through the worst neighborhood in America using the street, and frequently do ride through at-risk neighborhoods, but isolated paths, even in nice urban areas, are particularly dangerous. Groups of youths can easily trap a cyclist from the front without being witnessed. The Metropolitan Branch Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail in DC, and the Gwynns Falls Trail in Baltimore are examples with very high assault rates. Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12289745556219478251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-73005459235292442252012-12-07T07:30:28.197-05:002012-12-07T07:30:28.197-05:00My experience, in my city, has shown the opposite ...My experience, in my city, has shown the opposite to be true. Men on bicycles are occasionally targeted for assault, and the newspapers are pretty good at reporting the incidents, as is word of mouth - I have yet to hear of a single incident involving a lone female ever being assaulted.Adamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12289745556219478251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80743704087171667132012-12-06T21:29:02.765-05:002012-12-06T21:29:02.765-05:00I live in a rural area, an immediate concern usual...I live in a rural area, an immediate concern usually is dogs, but it isn't so bad in this twee area. the other concern is men in cars, but cycling for so many years, and almost always alone I have been lucky. The biggest issue for rural areas could be drunk drivers. Where I live people drink alot and they drive even with very tough laws. Almost every week the police report in the paper is full of people caught drunk driving.heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60176139374338793502012-12-06T20:50:35.578-05:002012-12-06T20:50:35.578-05:00For many years I lived in a city with the highest ...For many years I lived in a city with the highest crime rate/murder rate in Canada. But being Canada the violence is very specific within one community and the rest of the city is boringly safe. I would avoid the really bad area, but never had any problem biking through the just sort of bad area, and didn't even think about it. If it meant taking the long way, so be it. My dad lives in one of the areas and it's fine as long as you mind your business, but has had his car stolen, house broken into, and if he had a bike, it would be gone in seconds flat. He had taken my brother's bike and one of my old bikes from my mom's house(which were meant for when us kids come to visit) in hopes of cycling but both were stolen immediately.<br />Biking can be fast and stealth, plus you can get out of an area more quickly than if just on 2 feet.<br />I can't imagine the type of american style violence and guns that one may have to negotiate, but there could be a way for the woman to bike around the bad areas by making detours which could add distance and time, as long as it doesn't extend the risk. Or if there is transit, take the bus if they have bike racks.<br />A friend of mine lived in a "bad" poor neighbourhood and biked everywhere. She felt safe. But one day some kids decided to smack her on the face with a 2 x4. Not sure if they were targeting cyclists in general, or just random bad luck. They were waiting behind a car and jumped out, hit her and ran. She woke up in ER, luckily damage wasn't so bad. But nobody would talk. Even though she'd lived in the area for some years, nobody would help or speak up about the kids due to police mistrust. heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22474622979484675002012-12-06T20:49:52.674-05:002012-12-06T20:49:52.674-05:00Believe it or not, The Adventures of Pinocchio, by...Believe it or not, The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, has several passages in it that give great insights into the perils of the road. It is worth reading for these and it is a great story to boot (psst . . . it is really an allegory about the formation of the Italian nation-state).Thomas Puleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02480832735579963301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65537323964588064142012-12-06T20:18:20.840-05:002012-12-06T20:18:20.840-05:00A few years ago there was a series of muggings tar...A few years ago there was a series of muggings targeting cyclists along one of my regular routes. A group of men would wait alongside one of the main roads and when a cyclist approached would run out in his path and knock him over. Their main targets were men that appeared drunk and immigrants who the muggers felt were less likely to go to the police. <br /><br />This isn't a common thing, even in New Jersey, and they were caught in fairly short order, but it does happen. <br /><br />But it also illustrates some of what would-be assailants look for when targeting a cyclist. A bicycle does make you harder to catch, and riding smoothly and reasonably swiftly makes you less attractive (not to mention not being heavily intoxicated, which is a bad idea on a bike anyway). <br /><br />I never had any trouble with that particular "gang" (at 6'3", big and sober I wasn't in their target demographic) but I have been approached by shady individuals on lonely stretches of road who "just want to ask you something" or "just want to borrow a quarter," and the only response I ever offer is to accelerate away (the Quarter Guy had a big honkin' stick in his hand, which kind of set of my spider-sense).<br /><br />It can be scary at times, but I've been bike commuting on and off since I was a teenager and have only had a few problems, mostly I do seem to be much safer biking.<br />Matt DeBlasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17666227904684289223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83205456447349985412012-12-06T20:11:46.959-05:002012-12-06T20:11:46.959-05:00OK, I understand you better now. In that regard, D...OK, I understand you better now. In that regard, Detroit is a very nice place to ride, as there is not a lot of car traffic and people are almost unfailingly friendly.David P.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08720578047001724922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64238839949904012812012-12-06T20:11:42.979-05:002012-12-06T20:11:42.979-05:00This past spring I was assaulted by a group of men...This past spring I was assaulted by a group of men in a car on a busy street at dusk. It didn't end up being a serious ordeal, but it reminded me that one can be cautious to a fault and still be victimized in some way. I came away from the experience with the reminder to never be scared away from what I love doing: riding my bike. The more vigilant cyclists get out and ride, the more eyes and ears are on the roads to deter crime. (Incidentally, I carry a cycling-specific pepper spray velcro'd to my vest.)Williamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080850124866603951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-65343144368209522162012-12-06T19:45:03.614-05:002012-12-06T19:45:03.614-05:00There was a suggestion about a whistle further up....There was a suggestion about a whistle further up. It's illegal here in NY, but to hell with that. Have a whistle. And bear spray. And a very bright headlight. Then don't worry. It is enormously improbable something bad would happen to you. And don't forget to run red lights- for your safety ;-). If threatened, either turn around and cycle away or cycle directly at it. Don't underestimate the impact of getting hit by a bike and bicyclist at 20mph.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46680928429364093902012-12-06T19:42:40.135-05:002012-12-06T19:42:40.135-05:00Phil, that would be "marital" arts...Phil, that would be "marital" arts...Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47471154970417773102012-12-06T17:08:40.373-05:002012-12-06T17:08:40.373-05:00Thanks for this post. (Previous writer: "wom...Thanks for this post. (Previous writer: "women on bicycles are sexually evocative." Dare I ask how?) I ride in a rural area, and have to worry more about dogs and occasional annoying men in cars -- not much you can do about that, except carry spray, a phone, and be wary. What you describe sounds like a situation you should avoid, and I have been in that situation before. If you ride at a regular hour every day, as one comment noted, you will be more noticed, and can be targeted. You think because you are moving more quickly, that makes you safer, but it is very easy for someone to run out, surprise you, and cause you to lose balance. The bike offers none of the protection offered by a car. If it is an area through which you would not walk alone, do not ride alone. I would take that as a general rule.Paigenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-68439799936654115242012-12-06T16:06:59.709-05:002012-12-06T16:06:59.709-05:00The physical strength thing is not that important....The physical strength thing is not that important. Don't disadvantage yourself thinking that way. I recently had a 4 on 1 fight, if you can call it that, with kids a third my age and each outweighing me by at least 50 pounds. It started with me being knocked off my bike, laying on the ground, tangled in my bike, my glasses cockeyed, wearing cleats, kids standing over me brandishing big sticks and screaming at me. They lost. I know not a thing about fighting. Never interested me. I do not give up.<br /><br />Toughest person I know is a woman 5'5", 115#, in OK shape but nothing remarkable. She works as personal security for an eminent person I cannot name. She doesn't train in martial arts. She fights dirty. She was recently thrown out of a training session at SEAL camp because she was putting all these big guys in hospital. It is not about strength.<br /><br />If an assailant says hello with overwhelming force it's over, regardless of how strong you are or aren't. In all other circumstances self-preservation and intelligence win over brute strength.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15209482365243187522012-12-06T15:46:39.628-05:002012-12-06T15:46:39.628-05:00Yup, two summers ago there were a few robberies by...Yup, two summers ago there were a few robberies by a group of teenage boys on the Schuylkill Trail bike path by the Norristown train station. Consensus is it was visting basketball team at a tournament in Norristown. Guess they needed something to do when they weren't playing. Strange thing is it was in broad daylight when the paths were the most crowded. I wasn't one of their victims and there have have been no problems since but you can certainly be vulnerable on bike paths. Now that its cold and the paths are pretty much empty I feel a little more exposed. mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12597491756337058502012-12-06T15:22:21.140-05:002012-12-06T15:22:21.140-05:00True, unsafe does not necessarily mean high crime....True, unsafe does not necessarily mean high crime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-86731247340074754422012-12-06T15:02:51.961-05:002012-12-06T15:02:51.961-05:00Thank you for posting about this! I just recently ...Thank you for posting about this! I just recently started working a closing shift that ends close to midnight, and the route home involves biking through a densely forested park. It has its fair share of transients and I've been borrowing a car to avoid having to go through it that late at night (to avoid that park I'd have to go almost 10 miles out of my way to find another bridge over the river). The ideas and suggestions in these comments have given me a lot to think about. Emilynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16325966075649504922012-12-06T14:31:56.613-05:002012-12-06T14:31:56.613-05:00There are some very poorly designed intersections ...There are some very poorly designed intersections with trolley tracks and chaotic traffic patterns in these areas. The latest 2 fatalities resulted from cyclists being hit by an MBTA bus and a large truck.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com