You couldn't be more correct. Walking, bicycling, you name it - anything done near a city street and some idiot that 'doesn't see you' will cream you with their vehicle.
Even taking the stairs is difficult. If I'm in a building where there is stair access I'll always head for them only to invariably find numbers of sketchy characters lurking about.
I have similar issues with sketchy characters. My biggest problem this time of the year is weather and darkness. If conditions are bad, I substitute my walks with additional sit-ups, push-ups, and crunches.