Originally Posted by
sci_femme
Oddly enough a chick on a bike is safer in a sketchy neighborhood. Most of the time it is cat calls, "Nice azz", wolf whistles, compliments, etc. Never mind the fact I am a Caucasian middle age light Athena in full lycra *cringe*. (Only once a speeding car tried to take me out with an open passenger door, but these were most likely drugged out of their mind). On the other hand a guy would have faced entirely different predicament.
That said, I ride fast, stay sharp, carry pepper spray, have invested in good puncture-resistant tires (conti 4-seasons) and would not dare to venture a single block away from the arterial, nor ride there after dark.
Good Luck
SF
Best advise I have seen yet. I used to cross through a pretty sketchy neighborhood on my way down to the waterfront where I worked... Best thing to do was keep moving and stay on main roads.... and avoid crowds.
For those that say avoid the area... hard to do if you need to be just on the other side of said area.