vol

For me the most enjoyable time to ride the Greenway (not as up as to the above Washington Heights area) is in the evening after it gets dark. Few people on the path, quiet, breezy wind without the sun shining to your face, and occasionally can see some cyclists' fancy wheel lights

Whizzer283

+1 on self-defense, but better not bring a handgun into NYC without the proper credentials or you may face mandatory sentencing.

NYC is safer than ever but its a big place and there are place that should be avoided after dark. Apparently the green way is one of those places but there are many well-lit and low traffic alternatives, such as Riverside Dr, West End Ave, Columbus Ave, St Nicholas Ave and 9th Ave. Anyone can get a free NYC cycling map from an LBS and identify suitable options for returning home to NJ.

phoebeisis

No more stop and frisk-right?
Now the cops are supposed to have stronger probably cause?
Normal folks can't be adequately armed, so all you can do is avoid this area-cede it to the thugs.
Oh well.
Folks can be armed in NOLA,but same story-plenty of places you shouldn't go at night.

Ferdinand NYC

I would say that there are very few places in the whole City that one could honestly call "unsafe". A dark stretch of the remote Greenway at night would probably be one of them. It's really hard to think of any others.

Regarding riding at night: I generally don't do it -- but not because of fear. I try to hit the hottest points of any day when I am riding for pleasure; so that means that I rarely ride at night. For me, nighttime riding happens mainly in winter, when the sun goes down before I get home from work, and sometimes when I leave to go to work before sunrise; it happens also when I occasionally stay late at work.

But I am curious about your comment that you started riding at night only when you discovered high-powered lighting. I have lights on my helmet that I turn on at night; but these lights are for me to be seen; not for me to see. I haven't found locations where the streetlights aren't enough for me to see. (Well, except for that portion of the Greenway where the attacks took place.) Where do you ride in the City where the streetlights aren't sufficient?

When I was a kid, there were places at the City line where the streetlights ended. One time I got caught out in Nassau County after the sun had gone all the way down (I think I was on Union Tpke. or Hillside Ave.; I don't remember), and I had to ride in darkness until I got back into the City under the lights. Ever since then it's been my observation that we don't really have "darkness" in the City.

vol

When some of you say there are few unsafe places in the "city", I take it that you were referring to Manhattan and not NYC? I'm fairly comfortable with Manhattan except for Harlem northward, but the other boroughs are much more unsafe.

Ferdinand NYC

I'm referring to the entire City. I ride extensively in far northern Manhattan and in the Bronx; and I live on the Brooklyn/Queens border, so I ride a lot in those boroughs also. (I rarely ride in Staten Island, but only due to lack of interest.)

I can't think of a single place that I would be afraid to go. You might hear some tall tales about Hunts Point or New Lots or Queensbridge or Washington Heights. Don't believe them.

zacster

No, I'm also referring to the entire city. I ride the Bronx and never give it a thought. I ride all over Brooklyn since I live there. I only avoid Queens because there isn't much there to see, not because it is unsafe in any way. And let's just fuggedabout Staten Island.

As for my lighting comment, I had lights for a few years, but only used them to ride in the park when it started to get dark early. Last year though I bought a much brighter light that really makes you visible. I can stand on any corner of midtown and see all the bike lights coming at me, but only a few really stand out. I like that I am one of those that is very noticeable. It is a rare thing that I really need them to see.

vol

I think one's opinion about personal safety largely depends on who they are. If you are a big tall tough-looking man, then most places are safe for you.

Whizzer283

If you're clothes lined and outnumbered, you need to be Chuck Connors strong.

Whizzer283

+1 I bike throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan and Bronx. Even in the poorest neighborhoods, I feel safe and find the locals to be friendly and helpful.

vol

It takes only one random bullet... (I'm less worried about being robbed or attacked, but random shooting is something hard to prevent.)

anthonybkny

"a life lived in fear, is a life half lived" do what u need to do to empower yourself, don't be such a wuss

anthonybkny

[QUOTE=Thrasymachus;16029480]That is just a ******y comment [/QUOTE @Thrasymachus shut up already!

phoebeisis

Whizzer- Chuck Connors?
Wow dated reference
but Chuck Connors- Rifleman???
He had a rifle-??

Whizzer283

Damn! I meant Chuck Norris!!

vol

Also, you never know what those teenagers are capable of doing. I've had them throw hard objects at me for no reason, though I still have to ride in that area.

The question is whether something is more worth doing with one's life than another thing. Not to mention that for me I wouldn't even find any joy in riding in certain areas, dangerous or not.

phoebeisis

Whizzer
OK
But maybe in your heart of hearts you realized Chuck Connors-and his Winchester-was safer in dodgy places

snow_echo_NY

did this work? are police patrolling these lanes and are the people protected? or is this still a problem?

------------

Steve B.

I know it's March of 2015 and it was 23 degrees out after 6 inches of snow yesterday.

Do you really think the cops are patrolling the Hudson bike path ?.

snow_echo_NY

geez i didn't mean to incite such snark.

i just mean has anyone noticed any change on this path since 2013 with regards to this issue when there was the last of these posts, not necessarily this past winter season.

to explain, someone linked this particular thread from a more recent commuting thread b/c they're trying to find their way to NJ and i bumped to find some answers...(and not snark)

punkinevil

I was riding the Greenway into December (avoiding the upper part after 4 pm or so). I did not notice increased police presence up there then, but I haven't heard about any more attacks. They did finish a lot of the construction an the park around 160 or 170th street that had been obstructed and was a prime mugging spot. Since it is open now, it feels safer (now meaning december...haven't been since). I would still avoid it above 133rd after dark. I would even be hesitant on other stretches that are more isolated.

I would just advise caution, especially as it gets dark.

noglider 

This may be good advice, but I haven't been following it. I've been riding it after dark, and I've been the only one I see for long stretches. I work in the Bronx and live in lower Manhattan, and it's the most logical choice of route for me. So far, so good. I wear a mirror on my glasses and am constantly looking around. Not that that is complete protection, but I do try to be aware of my surroundings. I sometimes listen to headphones, but I only cover one ear.