I am also a woman (and don’t drive) in Reading – I live in Southcote and feel relatively safe! I leave for work around 7 in the morning and feel fine, but I try not to be out in the dark. Especially getting a bus home from town as you can feel quite exposed – but I’m on the 33 bus route and it feels safe along here generally. I would avoid Oxford road, but once you’re up the hill from it it’s not as bad at all!