christmas job, very early commute

[James10]

Hello.

I got some work for the royal mail this december. My shift starts at 6.30. I don't drive, there's no public transport, so I have to cycle.

As I come closer to my first shift, I'm getting a little edgy. I'll be leaving at 5.30, I'm sticking to lit residential streets, avoiding "bad" areas. My logic said that commuting at this time of morning would be good because potential criminals will be asleep. Am I right in thinking this?

I may seem over cautious but I've been mugged before on a bike, when riding in the dark, and the experience took a massive dump on my confidence.

Other than that, I can't wait to use the roads without the constant noise and hassle of all the cars

 

[Norm]

I can understand your concerns but, in general (I'm not sure where you live) the chances of being mugged on a bike once are pretty slim so, whilst it won't help your concenrns and self-confidence at all the chance of a reoccurrence should be tiny.

I can't remember where I saw it but I think the most active time for badduns is 2:30 to 4am, when most people sleep deepest or something. There's less chance of someone being around after 5:30 because there is much more risk of traffic at that time.

Maybe you could try some trial runs before you actually start work - the last thing you want is to turn up shattered on your first day and that might be the case if this is causing you to lose sleep. See what it's like tomorrow morning, for instance, it might help to allay your fears.

Good luck getting your confidence back.

 

[musa]

As norm said, a trial run maybe. Or found someone who drives and is local to you maybe

See your options then take it from there

 

[CopperCyclist]

You should be fine. Actually the dead hours of night up to about 4am are more the time burglars use than anything else.

People willing to commit robbery are more likely to be active when there are more potential targets about for them, usually in vulnerable positions.

Commuting in for your 6.30 shift shouldn't be any cause for additional concern. You'll be better off thinking about dressing appropriately for the weather, and watching for those icy mornings!

I've never had a single issue commuting in for my 7am starts. Good luck!

 

[Tigerbiten]

If it makes you feel safer, buy something like a rape alarm.
The noise when you set it off, if needed, will probably scare any mugger away.

Luck ............

 

[subaqua]

I set off at 6am for my pootle in. never had a problem. when i was doing the 3pm to 3am shift I never had a problem on the way home either. coming home at 10.30 to 00.30 is where you get the nobbers

 

[biggs682]

best time of day zero cars around , just slap on some good lights and ride

 

[Drago]

As an adult make you're more likely to become a victim of violent crine during the day.

 

[fossyant]

It's not a bad time to commute, roads are fairly quiet.

 

[ManiaMuse]

Get some decent lights and keep your wits about you and you should be fine.

5.30pm is probably as safe as the day to go out, drunks should have got home by then, even criminals have to go to bed at some point.

Stick to wide lit roads and avoid narrow park cyclepaths/towpaths if you're worried.

 

[Saluki]

I used to go out jogging at 5 - 5.30am ish, most mornings. Never got mugged, in fact I rarely saw anyone about.
When I worked for Norwich Union (Aviva) in one of their insurance call centres, I would cycle or run in for my 6 - 2 shift and rarely saw a soul. I did once get offered a free pint of milk by one of the milko-men out on his rounds. It was a cold snowy morning and I think that he felt sorry for me.

Enjoy your commute. In life people worry about far more things than ever actually happen.

 

[James10]

I'm very late to this (almost a year!!) but thanks for your advice. The biggest problems I had for this commute were in keeping a very old 5-speed in good order and wearing the right clothing (as CopperCyclist suggested) through some very cold mornings. But all in all, I never felt like I was in any danger and it was very fun cycling without a trail of cars jammed up your rear end. I start another job tomorrow with an even earlier commute (leaving at 4.20am) and am quite excited to be cycling through a ghost town once again. I'm better equipped this time, with a reliable bike, fitted with those schwalbe marathon smartguard tyres, and have a head-to-toe set of storm-proof clothes. Bring it on!!

 

[DRHysted]

When I'm on day shifts I leave home at 4am. The only time I ever felt concern was when a patient at the local mental hospital was screaming blue murder one morning (boy does that noise travel well) and I realised that I was in a potentially vunerable position. The thought hasn't re-occured since, but then I do tend to just ride like the clappers.

 

[James10]

that sounds very creepy indeed!

 

[Twelve Spokes]

I prefer cycling in the very early hours as opposed to the rush hour when all the clowns are out.Im sure you will be ok.