As noglider surmised, I like urban riding, so being among the buildings on the north end of South Broad and around Center City interests me. Seeing that area on Google Street View, it reminds me of the avenues of Manhattan, maybe Park Avenue. South of Spruce, it reminds me of the southern half of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The section around Roosevelt Park on the south end even looks like the southernmost part of Flatbush in Marine Park. I can understand why some people call it the sixth borough of New York City. No offense to Philadelphians.

Any areas around or near Center City I should avoid for safety reasons when riding in the evening? I know what neighborhoods to avoid after dark in NYC, but nothing about Philly.