Good points. I bike all over San Jose as cycling is my favorite form of exercise. (I’m an urban cyclist with a flat-bar road bike—no spandex for me.) One reason I have never had issues is I actively profile, avoiding groups of blacks when possible and being aware around Latino gang members (I’m hispanic myself). In addition I’m as prepared as I can be without carrying a gun (at least until I move to Arizona in the next 12-18 months). In my pocket is a Kershaw knife with 3.5 inch blade. On my strap pad, in addition to my phone holster, I have holsters for pepper spray and a 320 lumen tactical flashlight. I keep the flashlight in my hand at night, ready to destroy the night blindness of an agressor.I have a 5lb U-Lock on the back of my messenger back that I can use as a weapon. For my water bottle, I use a 33 oz stainless steel Oakley “Water Tank”. I have paracord attached as a handle that can turn it into a flail that can be deployed with surprise and devastating effect. Consequentally, I’m able to enjoy the sport I love and avoid being a victim. I also often wear a veteran cap or my Punisher hat to further set me apart for the skinny, metrosexual, fixie-riding liberals that look like an easy target for the thugs.
You are a thinking person, my friend. Stay safe!