Safely Commuting through Unsafe Environments?
03-20-11 | 08:04 AM
#51
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
Bikes: cyclotank
- Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the morning edition of WBFN! Sunny skies in the southeast, still building igloos in Alaska, Libyans are warm and getting warmer by the second, but before we go to the business and finance prognosis of the week to come, here is by popular demand!! This one's for BarracksSi - nice azz, spandex boy!
03-20-11 | 08:08 AM
#52
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
03-20-11 | 08:20 AM
#53
The Drive Side is Within
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,344
Likes: 47
From: New Haven, CT, USA
Bikes: Road, Cargo, Tandem, Etc.
People in those neighborhoods are used to adults on bikes. More so than suburban neighborhoods.
__________________
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
03-21-11 | 08:29 AM
#54
Wheezing Geezer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: Crowley, Tx
Bikes: Bacchetta Corsa, RANS Stratus XP
(Bud... there are some good routes just east of the train tracks that run between McCart and Crowley to get from the area where you work to Westcreek Park. You may already know it, but it's a pretty good ride- very light traffic).
03-21-11 | 08:57 AM
#55
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
HAHAHAHAHA!!
You just DESCRIBED my neighborhood! I live in one!
I have to say, though, that Chipcom's bullet comments (no pun) are pretty accurate. I do, however, violate a couple rules he put out.
I ride a pricey bike, a $2K Dakar XLT, and it's pretty beastly in appearance. (As in 'capable' not 'ugly')
My advantage? The thugs are convinced I'm an undercover/plainclothes cop, or affiliated somehow, and could get them busted. Their logic? No 'cracker' would ride a bike like mine through 'their' hood unless he was a cop.
There WAS one, a few years ago, who was just too stupid to even process THAT; he sat on his screened-in porch across a busy 4-lane from me, hollered, "HEY, WHITE BOY!" and dry-fired his revolver in my direction, 6 times.
You just DESCRIBED my neighborhood! I live in one!
I have to say, though, that Chipcom's bullet comments (no pun) are pretty accurate. I do, however, violate a couple rules he put out.
I ride a pricey bike, a $2K Dakar XLT, and it's pretty beastly in appearance. (As in 'capable' not 'ugly')
My advantage? The thugs are convinced I'm an undercover/plainclothes cop, or affiliated somehow, and could get them busted. Their logic? No 'cracker' would ride a bike like mine through 'their' hood unless he was a cop.
There WAS one, a few years ago, who was just too stupid to even process THAT; he sat on his screened-in porch across a busy 4-lane from me, hollered, "HEY, WHITE BOY!" and dry-fired his revolver in my direction, 6 times.
I'm on a 2k bike myself...but when you put on fenders and a rack it doesn't look like a 2K bike to your average schmuck.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
Last edited by chipcom; 03-21-11 at 09:09 AM.
03-21-11 | 09:03 AM
#56
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
I've had a number of commutes through less than desireable neighborhoods. On my last one, at the corner that I thought was the worst, one night I had a flat. As I sat in the light of the McDonalds parking lot patching the tube, someone came up and tried to offer me a $20 bill.
I've had trouble in good neighborhoods as well as some in worse neighborhoods, but as Chipcom said, pretty much a bicycle is too small to rate goofing with. So be aware and keep your distance from people and you should do okay. If you sense trouble, double your cadence.
I've had trouble in good neighborhoods as well as some in worse neighborhoods, but as Chipcom said, pretty much a bicycle is too small to rate goofing with. So be aware and keep your distance from people and you should do okay. If you sense trouble, double your cadence.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-21-11 | 09:08 AM
#57
Freewheelin' Fred
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 742
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento
Bikes: Surly Cross Check
03-21-11 | 09:11 AM
#58
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
and the soccer moms yaking on their phones in mini-vans and SUVs
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-21-11 | 11:14 AM
#60
2nd Amendment Cyclist
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: Cary, NC
Bikes: Schwinn 2010 World Street, Handsome Speedy w/ SRAM Apex
When riding through bad neighborhoods, I don't do anything differently other than make an effort to pay attention to my surroundings.
95% of conflicts can be avoided by good situational awareness, listening to 'bad feelings' your gut may be telling you, and avoiding the situation entirely (e.g. avoiding large groups, as mentioned by somebody else).
Most of the remainder can mostly be handled by keeping your cool, making it clear you're not a threat, and an absolute dedication to swallowing your pride.
For the few situations that can't be handled any other way, I carry a (legally) concealed handgun & pepper spray (which is not to say that I think I 'only' need them in 'bad' neighborhoods - bad things can happen anywhere).
95% of conflicts can be avoided by good situational awareness, listening to 'bad feelings' your gut may be telling you, and avoiding the situation entirely (e.g. avoiding large groups, as mentioned by somebody else).
Most of the remainder can mostly be handled by keeping your cool, making it clear you're not a threat, and an absolute dedication to swallowing your pride.
For the few situations that can't be handled any other way, I carry a (legally) concealed handgun & pepper spray (which is not to say that I think I 'only' need them in 'bad' neighborhoods - bad things can happen anywhere).
03-21-11 | 11:55 AM
#61
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
When riding through bad neighborhoods, I don't do anything differently other than make an effort to pay attention to my surroundings.
95% of conflicts can be avoided by good situational awareness, listening to 'bad feelings' your gut may be telling you, and avoiding the situation entirely (e.g. avoiding large groups, as mentioned by somebody else).
Most of the remainder can mostly be handled by keeping your cool, making it clear you're not a threat, and an absolute dedication to swallowing your pride.
For the few situations that can't be handled any other way, I carry a (legally) concealed handgun & pepper spray (which is not to say that I think I 'only' need them in 'bad' neighborhoods - bad things can happen anywhere).
95% of conflicts can be avoided by good situational awareness, listening to 'bad feelings' your gut may be telling you, and avoiding the situation entirely (e.g. avoiding large groups, as mentioned by somebody else).
Most of the remainder can mostly be handled by keeping your cool, making it clear you're not a threat, and an absolute dedication to swallowing your pride.
For the few situations that can't be handled any other way, I carry a (legally) concealed handgun & pepper spray (which is not to say that I think I 'only' need them in 'bad' neighborhoods - bad things can happen anywhere).
https://www.sanduskyregister.com/sand...oting-sandusky
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-21-11 | 12:28 PM
#62
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,765
Likes: 3,937
From: Louisville, KY
wow, that doesn't sound like a good situation. I wonder why he was pulling the guy over when dispatch didn't appear to have anything on him (not saying he was in the wrong, could have been riding as if drunk or something). Just not a lot of info there.
03-21-11 | 12:52 PM
#63
Infamous Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 24,360
Likes: 6
From: Ohio
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
The area MS150 overnights in Sandusky and there have often been run-ins between the cops and cyclists riding in the dark to the start point of the return trip...this year could be interesting.
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
03-21-11 | 02:13 PM
#64
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
From: Southeast
Bikes: cyclotank
03-21-11 | 02:20 PM
#66
2nd Amendment Cyclist
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 1
From: Cary, NC
Bikes: Schwinn 2010 World Street, Handsome Speedy w/ SRAM Apex
You might want to avoid carrying on a bike in northern Ohio for a spell.
https://www.sanduskyregister.com/sand...oting-sandusky
https://www.sanduskyregister.com/sand...oting-sandusky
A real tragedy. I'd be interested in finding out what the initial stop was for, and how it plays out in court.
03-21-11 | 02:28 PM
#67
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 699
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
be alert
no eye contact
try to avoid the instinct to educate drivers and pedestrians about bicycle rights
keep moving
no fancy riding clothes/gear (anything that looks expensive)
any comments, things thrown at you, ... just shake it off and keep going. they are looking for a reaction, don't give them one
chicago has cameras mounted to telephone poles in some neighborhoods. i know where they are if i need to get to one
no eye contact
try to avoid the instinct to educate drivers and pedestrians about bicycle rights
keep moving
no fancy riding clothes/gear (anything that looks expensive)
any comments, things thrown at you, ... just shake it off and keep going. they are looking for a reaction, don't give them one
chicago has cameras mounted to telephone poles in some neighborhoods. i know where they are if i need to get to one
03-21-11 | 05:16 PM
#69
I am a caffine girl
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,815
Likes: 1
From: Bay Area
Bikes: 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Comp...2010 Scott CR1 CF...2007 Novara FS Float2.0...2009 Specialized Hardrock Disc...2009 Schwinn Le Tour GSr
