Do you feel safe walking at night?

I’m also a bloke of the larger size, and have no issues at all walking around in Canberra. That said, something I would never, ever do is walk along at night with earphones in. Being able to hear someone approach is very important in maintaining personal security.

I am a big solid bloke, but after years of living in Western Sydney and in Bunbury in WA, I take my life preservation fairly seriously and rarely walk at night. Even here in Canberra. I just don’t feel safe doing it. I will also make a point of using an indoor ATM, even during the day.

Absolutely not. I still walk / ride my bike at night because we shouldn’t have to feel like we’re under a curfew. I do have some security awareness about me when I’m out though. I’ll often have a powerful LED torch (and will use it to assist existing bike lighting) because I find in general the paths aren’t as well lit as where I used to live. In face there’s a path of complete darkness just by the Lake near Bowen Place). The long distance torch beam is great because I’ll want to see someone before they see me, especially if they’re a miscreant so that I can get away quick enough.

I’d be keen to see a police officer or two going for a walk or bike ride patrolling these reserves / bike tracks, but I never see any. I’d feel safer if there was a risk you’d get caught by a passing police officer when you’re raping or mugging someone.

Yes, but then I’m 2m tall and weigh 110kg. Others may have a different perspective.

I live in suburban north Canberra, and previously in Gungahlin, and have never thought twice about walking down unlit paths and through parks with headphones on at night.

Realistically Canberra is an extremely safe place at night, and your chances of getting into trouble are very low. I’d say the chance of getting assaulted whilst walking at night are way lower than indicated by the data, as a large proportion of assaults (I’d hazard even most) would be for things like domestic disputes where both parties know each other, not random attacks on passers by.

That said, the risks are obviously higher in and around the town centres/city. I’d certainly be keeping my wits about me walking through Garema Place or Haig Park at night.

Haig park when Mandalays is open is one thing, but that awful dark park with off their tree junkies wandering around and the lights being out quite often is another thing.

i’m pretty comfortable walking in canberra – and indeed most of australia – at night. of course, there are areas anywhere that have one’s spidey senses tingling and you learn to listen to these.

of course, i’m male +6ft with some formal training in how to look after myself – i suspect it feels different for others, but the reality is, as the op notes, it is unlikely you’ll get yourself in trouble if you walk at night in canberra.

the most dangerous part of night walking in canberra – esp nth canberra – is the appalling state of the footpaths!

We don’t give walking at night a second thought. It helps that we have a very big dog, and most people coming the other way cross the road before we get to them.

Yes

Kalliste said :

I have no issues walking through suburban areas at night alone and even walking through busy areas but there is no way I’d walk through Haig Park alone at night, I wouldn’t even want to go past the flats along there. I barely like doing it during the day.

Yep, Haig Park can be pretty dodgy at all times of day!

Through winter I would still run/walk around the central basin of the lake regularly and would ride around the full circuit (Scrivener Dam–Fyshwick end). I thought it might be a bit suss at times, but never saw anything to cause concern.

On the whole I think Canberra is pretty safe and you’re probably at more risk of danger in the city at night than anywhere else.

Unfortunately those statistics are not that accurate, many crimes go unreported, especially petty robbery and assault between to criminals. There are defiantly some areas I would not walk at day or night. Given I have had my life threatened by drugged out losers. Some enclaves of government housing know by police as danger areas are pretty much left alone.

I have no issues walking through suburban areas at night alone and even walking through busy areas but there is no way I’d walk through Haig Park alone at night, I wouldn’t even want to go past the flats along there. I barely like doing it during the day.

The major difference for me is that during the day I’ll happily listen to music when walking around but I wouldn’t do it at night, I want to be more alert at night if I’m in an alone.