Civic Center in the city is scary. One time I was leaving the BART station and had this punk ask for change, put out his arm against a wall and prevent me from passing. I had to wrestle my way past. Last time I ever exited the Civic Center BART station period!
I used to work at a shoe store downtown near the Powell St cable car turnaround. One morning I was sweeping the front when a "street person" came up to a disheveled individual and says, "Joe, wow... you sure look the part, you'll make a lot of money today!" Another instance when I was walking up the street on a rainy day and low and behold all these panhandlers with open umbrellas. They come prepared, I thought to myself as I opened the front gate.
Anyway, I think as the economy continues in a nose dive formation, we as cyclists will be some of its victims. I read that the likelihood of a new cyclist continuing to cycle after getting his bike stolen is slim. I wish we had secure parking for bicycles everywhere, as in Japan!