Commuting - dubious neighborhoods

do any of you commute through inner city neighborhoods that are less than reputable?

i have a resonable commute of 8 miles one way to my office. i have yet to ride to work though because i am a concerned about the safety of the neighborhoods that i will be passing through. my bike has become my main mode of transportation except for work commuting because of this.

i have considered a (much) longer trek through safer neighborhoods, but 25+ miles a day seems a bit daunting -- though attractive enough to ride on occassion.

wondering if any of you experienced folk have opinions on this matter or have had similiar dilemmas.

-m

Originally posted by mitico
do any of you commute through inner city neighborhoods that are less than reputable?



i have a resonable commute of 8 miles one way to my office. i have yet to ride to work though because i am a concerned about the safety of the neighborhoods that i will be passing through. my bike has become my main mode of transportation except for work commuting because of this.



i have considered a (much) longer trek through safer neighborhoods, but 25+ miles a day seems a bit daunting -- though attractive enough to ride on occassion.



wondering if any of you experienced folk have opinions on this matter or have had similiar dilemmas.



-m

Well, for starters, I do 36 on my commute, and I ride through one of the areas of town where all the white-trash rednecks and impovrished minorities duke it out on a daily basis. Never had a problem.

It all depends on the area of town; is this West-Oakland kind of bad, or just Downtown-Sacramento kind of bad?

Hm . . . biking through Philly. I'm guessing closer to West Oakland. I think Atom and His Package said it best with, "Philly is the city of brotherly love and of crime, and we only bombed our own city once, one time."

How nice is your bike? You would probably be OK if you just rode something that didn't look like it was worth harassing you over. And probably avoid the cycling gear, because that will make you stick out like a sore thumb. I'm thinking something like a mountain bike with slicks.

Anyway, just a thought.

andy

I guess it's relative. I ride through an area that many of my friends consider a "bad area", but it's really not, certainly not one of the worst areas. I think I would give it a try, but as someone else mentioned, I would keep it low key. Get an old 10 speed or mtb with slicks. Make it run good but look bad. Don't wear your shorts and jerseys. Many people probably ride bikes in that area out of necessity. Just don't look too prosperous.

Originally posted by RainmanP
I would keep it low key. Get an old 10 speed or mtb with slicks. Make it run good but look bad. ... Just don't look too prosperous.

Great advice regarding bicycle and person appearance. I have cycled through some tough parts of Los Angeles and lived four years in a "transitional" neighborhood southeast of Beverly Hills, on the "wrong" side of each of two perpendicular socioeconomic boundary streets. I worry far more about being struck by an inattentive motorist than about being mugged or "bike-jacked."

I would have to agree with john, I'm more concerned with cars then people. I do go through a questionable neighborhood when I commute, but my thinking has always been, if someone tries to mess with me they would have to catch me first, and without a car that would be pretty hard for someone on foot. besides, they would probably try to car jack someone before they bike jacked someone :rolleyes:

Man, it would suck to be robbed of my bike. Not only am I walking, but my phone is in the trunk bag.

I think that's an excellent idea about riding a dumpy looking bike and 'dressing down'. I would check out the neighborhood well, maybe some streets are wider and less trafficed and therefore you can maintain a good pace with minimum stops.

About a week ago, I went through a bad neighborhood, and although uncomfortable at times, I felt I could avoid any problems. Then I saw some junk in the road that I barely avoided, and got to thinking...this wouldn't my favorite place to have to change a flat...

I doubt if the morning commute is very threatening, so maybe go through the bad area in the mornings and if you're not comfortable, you can always take the long (and safer) way home.