Utility Cycling - Biking at night

Good Saturday to everyone!
I'm soon to be completely car free and have a question about riding at night. My ride will be about 3.8 miles through downtown and take me through a 'not exactly safe' neighborhood'. I'll have all the requisite equipment ie lights and what not but any other advice on staying safe?

1. Consult with the appropriate police station on your route and time of travel.
2. Stick to the main streets that always have some passerby's and traffic. Never go into any alleys or side-streets.
3. Get a sense of what other bikers are wearing and copy them. Do not stick out. Do not ride a $4000 shiny bike with a club jersey.
4. Consider NOT lighting yourself up so much. Tail lights and street lights are usually enough for cars behind to see you. A head light that announces your coming to every street thug should be avoided.
5. If legal (or even if not) clip a mace spray to the shoulder strap of your bag.
6. Carry a cell phone where you can reach it quickly as well.
7. Become a confident city rider. Take an entire lane. Stay away from the curb as much as possible.
8. Don't loiter at stop lights. Either bust through them (safely) or time the light so that you never stop.

Finally if you are a woman it is an unfortunate fact that you will get hassled more often. If you have long hair tuck it up underneath your hemet. Wear baggy clothing. No PINK!

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought that lighting myself up could be a bad thing. The road I'll be taking is a pretty busy road and has pretty good lighting. :)

1. Consult with the appropriate police station on your route and time of travel.
2. Stick to the main streets that always have some passerby's and traffic. Never go into any alleys or side-streets.
3. Get a sense of what other bikers are wearing and copy them. Do not stick out. Do not ride a $4000 shiny bike with a club jersey.
4. Consider NOT lighting yourself up so much. Tail lights and street lights are usually enough for cars behind to see you. A head light that announces your coming to every street thug should be avoided.
5. If legal (or even if not) clip a mace spray to the shoulder strap of your bag.
6. Carry a cell phone where you can reach it quickly as well.
7. Become a confident city rider. Take an entire lane. Stay away from the curb as much as possible.
8. Don't loiter at stop lights. Either bust through them (safely) or time the light so that you never stop.

Finally if you are a woman it is an unfortunate fact that you will get hassled more often. If you have long hair tuck it up underneath your hemet. Wear baggy clothing. No PINK!
Wow! I agree with every point you made.:) I rode for six years at all times and all places throughout all Philadelphia neighborhoods and I had no problems by doing just as you recommend, other than that I had no lights at all back in the 70's. I would recommend, as you do, the rear blinkies; and good reflectors front and back.

You might also consider one of those Airzounds air horns. I actually used it a couple of weeks ago to get the attention of a police officer at night, and I'm glad I had it. I don't shout too loudly.

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought that lighting myself up could be a bad thing. The road I'll be taking is a pretty busy road and has pretty good lighting. :)

On the occasion or two when I've felt in danger, I've found that having a bright helmet light makes a good bit of difference. Police shine their lights in suspects' eyes to disorient them and give the light-wielder the advantage.

Ari

Eugene Sloan (The Complete Book of Bicycling--1970) mentioned a group of thugs suddenly waiting for him on his path through a park one evening. He waited until the last moment and gave them a long blast on his canned air horn. It frightened them and they jumped back, giving him just enough time to sprint away.

I rode at night past a tavern surrounded by imbibing patrons "not of my race." I always shut off my generator light a block or so before. Later I talked with someone raised in that neighborhood and he told me I was in relatively little danger there. According to him, the dangerous area was a seemingly nicer area I rode through during daylight hours. Who would have thought it? Anyway, I never had any problems in either location.

Slow train already advised you to use major roads when you can and to give yourself plenty of space in the lane but I'll mention it too because I think it is so important.

If you haven't ridden the route before, familiarize yourself with it in the daytime before trying it at night.

If your lights run on batteries, have spare batteries.

In general, don't be aggressive but do be assertive. Move purposefully but don't hurry.

Good Saturday to everyone!
I'm soon to be completely car free and have a question about riding at night. My ride will be about 3.8 miles through downtown and take me through a 'not exactly safe' neighborhood'. I'll have all the requisite equipment ie lights and what not but any other advice on staying safe?

Get a Take A Look Mirror and use it after you clear the bad areas. You don't want to look like a professional cyclists and that means turning off the front headlamp because it draws attention. Once you clear the bad area, put the mirror back on.

I've been wearing this very portable reflector vest. It's small enough to fit in your pocket and it's not hot like a traditional vest. I wear this even in bad areas because it works in the dead of night.

If you see a large crowd of kids, take another avenue.


http://www.jogalite.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.productsgroup&cat=13

My ansi 2 vest has given me comments that I look like a cop.

I would also scout out a emergency plan. That leads to a place that is open with people or police substation.
You might want to also call a person when you leave so they will be waiting for you to call back . Give all your routes and time it will take you. My parents do this for me and are a 1000 miles away. I just leave my camping plans at my house.

Of course what other people said.

Mind your own business and don't be a sucker.

A lot of people (especially women, perhaps) assist the thug who's trying to mug them by being polite and helpful. Remember, if somebody really needs your help, they will respect your "space."

People are dangerous only when they are close enough to touch you (unless armed, of course). So, if somebody gets too close, tell them to back away while you yourself are backing off. If they continue to approach you, they are bad people. Just take off as fast as you can and be prepared to defend yourself.

As for lights, I feel safer with them than without them, but that's up to you. My view is that a close encounter with a car will always harm you, but a close encounter with a bad guy gives you a fighting (or running) chance. Also, I like to see road debris, as I had a very serious fall while riding unlighted at night.

I'd say at least some form of headlight is a good idea. You don't have to keep it on full-beam, or on all the time, but there are instances where being able to see and be seen outweighs the benefit of camoflage.

I'd say at least some form of headlight is a good idea. You don't have to keep it on full-beam, or on all the time, but there are instances where being able to see and be seen outweighs the benefit of camoflage.

I pretty much agree with this.

I don't have any statistics to back this up, but one situation scares me when riding at night in the city. That's cars pulling out of a side street or driveway right into my path.

Reflectors won't work in this situation because the cars' headlights are not pointed directly at them. I think that drivers at night are expecting to see headlights, not shadowy objects like bikes, so they are likely to pull out into your path. And I'm dead or seriously hurt, most likely. :eek:

One thing I do is ride a little more toward the center of the street at night, whenever traffic conditions allow. This gives me more time/space to react if a car does pull out in front of me. And I do keep the headlight turned on at all times.

These are great ideas that have already been posted. Somethings I'd like to add:

1. If you use OC spray, you may also be legally required to provide or call for medical aid when you use it.

2. Be aware of your surroundings. This doesn't just apply to what's going on around you at any given time, but things that occur overtime. Are you seeing the same person at the same place in time all of the sudden? Is the same car popping up? Those kinds of things.

3. Have a few different routes and randomly ride them. You don't want someone planning to mug you. If they do, you don't want them to be successful.

4. Don't draw negative attention to yourself, ie. don't make yourself a target.

5. Keep riding and don't stop unless you have to due to unsafe conditions, mechanical issues, etc.

It's really sad to see most of these posts are from the United States where crime seems to be so bad you take your life in your hands just riding through a city at night.. So what's the difference between that and Iraq or Lebenon? Are people in the US really that dangerous? I wouldn't think twice about riding through any city in Canada or the UK at night. Sure in the 'bad' areas i'd be more aware but not to the point of clipping pepper spray to myself or figuring out my best escape plan when "they" come to get me. Seems like alot of Americans are already living in a prison of thier own society. Has it gone from Home of the brave to home of the paranoid?
Really really sad.. :(

It's really sad to see most of these posts are from the United States where crime seems to be so bad you take your life in your hands just riding through a city at night.. So what's the difference between that and Iraq or Lebenon? Are people in the US really that dangerous? I wouldn't think twice about riding through any city in Canada or the UK at night. Sure in the 'bad' areas i'd be more aware but not to the point of clipping pepper spray to myself or figuring out my best escape plan when "they" come to get me. Seems like alot of Americans are already living in a prison of thier own society. Has it gone from Home of the brave to home of the paranoid?
Really really sad.. :(

I agree. How sad!

Judging from these posts (and the posts in "do you carry a gun" -threads) US does seem like a different planet. One day I'll go and see for myself.

By the way, OP never mentioned the country he rides in.

--J

Judging from these posts (and the posts in "do you carry a gun" -threads) US does seem like a different planet. One day I'll go and see for myself.

Good luck! Hope you make it back in one piece.

It's really sad to see most of these posts are from the United States where crime seems to be so bad you take your life in your hands just riding through a city at night.. So what's the difference between that and Iraq or Lebenon? Are people in the US really that dangerous? I wouldn't think twice about riding through any city in Canada or the UK at night. Sure in the 'bad' areas i'd be more aware but not to the point of clipping pepper spray to myself or figuring out my best escape plan when "they" come to get me. Seems like alot of Americans are already living in a prison of thier own society. Has it gone from Home of the brave to home of the paranoid?
Really really sad.. :(
It is the perception promoted by news outlets. The reporters live in the suburbs. I don't carry weapons but bike through neighborhoods where many suburban friends are afraid to drive. I read in the newspaper about a bunch of suburban teachers taking a daytime field trip to my neighborhood to see where their immigrant students "come from". They visited a strip of restaurants and nightclubs that cater to suburbanites and were given strict instructions to not leave the block because of the "danger". The problem is the reporter didn't point out how silly the whole idea is. Any students would have lived blocks away from the nightclub strip and those blocks would not have been dangerous to a busload of gawking teachers. I'm not saying there isn't crime and gangs in the city just that the problems are over hyped by reporters. If reporters would make an attempt to subtract the criminal-on-criminal crime from the gross statistics they'd give readers a more accurate impression of the risks. Also, if you live here you pay attention to the localization in time and space of the crimes where the victem is a law abiding person.

Judging from these posts (and the posts in "do you carry a gun" -threads) US does seem like a different planet. One day I'll go and see for myself.

By the way, OP never mentioned the country he rides in.

--J

Don't bother. There are some good bits here and there, but the rest of the world has far more to offer. Visit Canada instead if you really want to cross the ocean. ;)

Carry a big ass knife on a chest sheath. Something about a weapon being displayed calms down even the hard ones.

I live in a smaller city of about 90,000 and the only crime that happens here is one criminal killing another. That happens about 4 or 5 times per year.

If you are a drug dealer you will probably eventually get killed because thats a pretty dangerous line of work to be in.

I certainly do not feel like the US is a dangerous place to live but I dont live in NYC for example.

It is the perception promoted by news outlets. The reporters live in the suburbs. I don't carry weapons but bike through neighborhoods where many suburban friends are afraid to drive.
Me too. Portland's pretty tame but formerly in San Francisco I regularly passed through (and lived in) areas considered dangerous by ... drivers. Yes I think the habit of seldom or never leaving home without a couple tons of steel cage, glass etc. isolating one from subtle social cues tends to make one rather paranoid, and probably more likely to support political agendas emphasizing more police power, tougher immigration law enforcement, property rights over commonwealth, majoritarianism over democracy, and a disproportionate level of concern about "monsters in our midst" -- pedophiles, child abductors etc. Basically the FOX news affiliate program, half or so of whose ad revenue comes from motor interests and the balance from germophobe cleaning products, lawn care items, and Baby Einstein DVDs to assure one's progeny can afford to keep out of the city.

While living in one of these "crime infested neighborhoods" (and I won't deny that crime was a big issue, just not to the extent represented in popular media), I analyzed property crime statistics for the area, adjusted for population density, and determined that the crime rate was double that of the suburbs per capita. Then I observed that slightly more than half of the property crimes were car break-ins, car theft, car vandalism. So, having a car basically doubled one's chance of being a crime victim. No car: pretty much the same as the most staid suburbs. The vast majority of violent crime was gang-related, inter-gang. There was dope-dealing territory to defend if one was to be able to make car payments, after all.

Most police departments have web sites that display statistics on the types of crimes reported in a given area. the ones to watch out for are categories like "armed robbery" and "larceny from a person." These are the main crimes that affect commuters on bikes. **** is a concern for women, but the sex crime statistics are not very helpful, as they lump acquaintance **** with stranger ****. Most "assaults" are either domestic or criminal on criminal, I believe.

I found it was very reassuring to check my PD's web site and find that most of the crimes along my inner city route were drug related or domestic. I ride (literally) right through an open-air crack maret every night at 11:45. I have not had any problems with these dealers in the last 5 years. I worry much more about their intoxicated customers crashing into me with their cars.

The other thing I worry about is crazy sadistic people looking to hassle or even hurt me "just for fun." But this is quite rare, of course. And this is where it's important not to let any strangers get physically close to you.

I I have not had any problems with these dealers in the last 5 years. I worry much more about their intoxicated customers crashing into me with their cars.


Right. The one time I made a wrong turn into an open air drug market ( in a car) I got boxed in. When they guys who approached the window "Whatcha want? Watcha want?" found out I was lost they were super polite and gave excellent directions. Then they gave some hand signals toward the house and I just waited for the young runners to service the cars ahead and I was on my way. The dealers at those highly organized operations don't need trouble, they have a huge interest in maintaining a safe environment for their suburban customers.
They don't need cops coming around investigating assault or robbery it scares customers away. Now the lower level guys who are dealing casually to support a habit or lifestyle won't be so sweet if they think you have anything of value on you. My info about the lower level guys comes from the DA office not any direct experience.

I am car free.
Riding at night will be harder on your wheels as you will be less likely to see hazards such as potholes.
I do a 7 mi commute in the dark, and I have memorized the really bad patches.
Crime has never been a concern for me.

Riding at night will be harder on your wheels as you will be less likely to see hazards such as potholes.
I do a 7 mi commute in the dark, and I have memorized the really bad patches.
Crime has never been a concern for me.
+1
i ride through a poor, hi-crime area but only for a few minutes.... only get the occasional yell. Not too concerned about the safety.
Of more concern to me is to see road hazards and be seen by drivers.
Best of luck

Carry a gun and learn how to use effectively.

Carry a big ass knife on a chest sheath. Something about a weapon being displayed calms down even the hard ones.
In DC the hard ones have guns. Some also use team work, lookouts and two to three handling the victem. This is what people who have had it happen to them tell me. Don't get me started on DC weapon laws.... I personally don't feel like being armed but wouldn't mind if law abiding mentally stable people could get trained and have a concealed carry permit.

Wow, you guys really recommended blowing stoplights in the dark?

Dig this: When it's dark out, it's a lot more dangerous to blow through a light, because visibility is low. Duh.

If it makes you feel better to carry a weapon, okay...but I can't imagine needing one. Anywhere. The biggest safety hazard is visibility. Make sure not only you can be seen, but you can see as well. And the whole idea of carrying a gun around does not appeal to me. I don't want to make this into a gun control issue, but I can imagine some paranoid cyclist being approached by a stranger with no ill intentions and pulling a gun or knife. Bad news.

I tend to ride without a headlight in specific parts of the city at night. I never stop unless there is a breakdown, 15 people on a corner in gang areas will make you do that. I also have 4 different ways I travel and will switch at random.

If you decide to buy OC spray, please get some qualified advice on which type is best for you. There are some that are a very bad choice unless you know their drawbacks.

Judging from these posts (and the posts in "do you carry a gun" -threads) US does seem like a different planet. One day I'll go and see for myself.
--J

I speak softly and carry a FINNISH gun :)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/M912.jpg

It's really not that bad here. I'd be much more concerned about getting beat up around the pubs in the UK than anywhere stateside. Petty assaults and fistfights are actually less common here, though murder is more common. The same rules apply anywhere. Keep a low profile, stay out of trouble, don't bandy words with fools and watch your six. If danger rears its ugly head, boldly turn your tail.

+1
i ride through a poor, hi-crime area but only for a few minutes.... only get the occasional yell. Not too concerned about the safety.
Of more concern to me is to see road hazards and be seen by drivers.
Best of luck
I agree with your risk analysis. I hit debris when I was riding unlighted. I spent 2 days in the hospital and 5 months off work and off the bike. Very few muggings leave the victim hurt that badly.

It is the perception promoted by news outlets. The reporters live in the suburbs. I don't carry weapons but bike through neighborhoods where many suburban friends are afraid to drive. I read in the newspaper about a bunch of suburban teachers taking a daytime field trip to my neighborhood to see where their immigrant students "come from". They visited a strip of restaurants and nightclubs that cater to suburbanites and were given strict instructions to not leave the block because of the "danger". The problem is the reporter didn't point out how silly the whole idea is. Any students would have lived blocks away from the nightclub strip and those blocks would not have been dangerous to a busload of gawking teachers. I'm not saying there isn't crime and gangs in the city just that the problems are over hyped by reporters. If reporters would make an attempt to subtract the criminal-on-criminal crime from the gross statistics they'd give readers a more accurate impression of the risks. Also, if you live here you pay attention to the localization in time and space of the crimes where the victem is a law abiding person.

There maybe some truth to this.

I remember taking the train to the Bronx for the first time and images of Germany destroyed came to my mind. I thought large gangs of teens were on the street with automatic machine guns firing from projects killing people left and right. As the train came to a stop, I dreaded the fact of getting out of the subway. Then all of a sudden a child no older than 3 years of age stopped and looked at me kinda strange only to be pulled away by his mother. I said to myself, if that child can survive the Bronx, so can I and guess what? I had the best time of my life.

The most dangerous time I had was getting lost in the burbs with nightfall coming, no lights and high speed traffic everywhere.