Do you carry protection?
#76
20+mph Commuter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Greenville. SC USA
Posts: 7,533
Bikes: Surly LHT, Surly Lowside, a folding bike, and a beater.
Mentioned: 31 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1445 Post(s)
Liked 339 Times
in
224 Posts
Apparently, not all of us reside in the same world.
#77
covered in cat fur
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Willkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 614
Bikes: Papillionaire Sommer, '85 Schwinn World Tourist, 2014 Windsor Kensington 8, SixThreeZero SS Cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well, I do carry stuff to fix flats.
#79
Banned.
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 67
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is nonsense and you are asking about protection? What you should have done is not have watched him stop his car, get out, and come over to assault you, and hauled ass since you have a bike and he is likely an out of shape motorist who cannot go very fast on foot. Pepper spray or a gun are options that you use if you are foolish enough to watch a motorist attempt to assault you, which is bad policy in the first place.
Last edited by Thrasymachus; 08-23-13 at 06:21 PM.
#80
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 263
Bikes: 1984 Cannodale full touring bike, Giant full carbon dura ace, Belinsky frame Tandem
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This is nonsense and you are asking about protection? What you should have done is not have watched him stop his car, get out, and come over to assault you, and hauled ass since you have a bike and he is likely an out of shape motorist who cannot go very fast on foot. Pepper spray or a gun are options that you use if you are foolish enough to watch a motorist attempt to assault you, which is bad policy in the first place.
Double O
Last edited by CbadRider; 08-23-13 at 08:49 PM. Reason: Removed Zimmerman/Martin comments
#81
Banned.
Join Date: May 2013
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 67
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you see a motorist stop his car to confront you, don't wait, just lose them. Even if you think you can beat them up, do you think you can avoid being seen or getting caught? It is not worth it. The original poster was not distracted and caught by surprise, he just haplessly watched his future attacker approach him, and now asks us on this forum about "protection tools or strategies." It is so stupid, just use your superior agility to lose the motor vehicle. Or use your superior speed to lose the motorist on foot.
Last edited by Thrasymachus; 08-23-13 at 08:55 PM. Reason: Removed Zimmerman/Martin comments
#82
Full Member
I typically carry a pocket knife anywhere I go, though it's much more a tool than a weapon (it's potentially better than nothing in the right situation). On my commuter/touring bike, I have a larger, more-practical-for-self-defense knife in my trunk bag. Along with that, I have my martial arts and defensive tactics training; but fortunately, I've never had call to put any of it to real use.
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the bridge with Picard
Posts: 5,932
Bikes: Specialized Allez, Specialized Sirrus
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 17 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I removed comments referring to the Zimmerman/Martin case since those belong in the Politics & Religion forum. However, that topic has been banned from P&R because of the volatile subject so you'll have to find another forum to discuss it other than Bike Forums. Thanks for your cooperation with this.
CbadRider
Forum Administrator
CbadRider
Forum Administrator
#84
Banned.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 964
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
+1 - I think they're a lot more likely to get you into trouble then out of it (and the numbers bear this out). I know my own temperament, and there are situations that ended with some bruised egos that would have been a lot worse had I carried. That pepper spray is interesting, and it's something I've thought of before. In the end, I don't really want to carry it around...and you can get in trouble with pepper spray as well.
To my understanding, some guys get hopped up on certain things that can lead to spray having minimal effect...and I'd be worried about it being used against me. I think the best weapon is common sense mixed with a touch of cowardice.
To my understanding, some guys get hopped up on certain things that can lead to spray having minimal effect...and I'd be worried about it being used against me. I think the best weapon is common sense mixed with a touch of cowardice.
#85
Twilight Requiem
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Lonely Mountain
Posts: 461
Bikes: TrekFX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
When a motorist comes running like a gorilla on meth.. be sure to run or you might catch your death.
There is dignity in flight, or the decision to flee.. because if you outrun your villians then you're a racer like me!
There is dignity in flight, or the decision to flee.. because if you outrun your villians then you're a racer like me!
#86
Motorcycle RoadRacer
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,826
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I am sure there will be a bunch of jokes about the title but here's why I ask?
The other day a driver ran through a stop sign at about 40 mph. This was about 30 feet in front of me in a
very decent residential area.
I yelled "hey!". Nothing more.
The driver (male) slammed on the brakes, jumped out the car and came rushing at me with fists clenched.
This dude was hopped up on something and was ready to take me out.
Long story short, after he picked up my bike and threw it, he realized there were people watching and yelling
at him about calling the police, he took off.
So what would you have done? Do you carry any kind of weapon or even pepper spray?
Just curious. I am not really sure what I should do.
The other day a driver ran through a stop sign at about 40 mph. This was about 30 feet in front of me in a
very decent residential area.
I yelled "hey!". Nothing more.
The driver (male) slammed on the brakes, jumped out the car and came rushing at me with fists clenched.
This dude was hopped up on something and was ready to take me out.
Long story short, after he picked up my bike and threw it, he realized there were people watching and yelling
at him about calling the police, he took off.
So what would you have done? Do you carry any kind of weapon or even pepper spray?
Just curious. I am not really sure what I should do.
IMO, I think it took a lot of guts just to watch the guy grab your bike and throw it..It is just a bike.. You stepped in, and it is a life threatening situation now. We read all day of dumb stuff happening, that could have been avoided, and ended bad.
I have been in spots like that before, and I saw what was coming before anyone could get close to me, I retreated. No harm done to me.
Being an older person, and seen what I have seen through the length of my years. You handled it well.
#87
Thunder Whisperer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NE OK
Posts: 8,843
Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
2 Posts
__________________
Community guidelines
Community guidelines
#88
Banned.
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 1,034
Bikes: 1982 Fuji Supreme, Specialized 2012 Roubaix Compact. 1981? Raleigh Reliant mixte, Velo Orange Campeur (in progress)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#90
Senior Member
A problem I haven't heard addressed yet: Your commute is in a low crime area but local drivers have a hard time tolerating cyclists. You are commuting home and just had an altercation with a motorist who drove like a jerk. You successfully deterred him or protected yourself using your chosen method. Now it would be easy for him to track you on future commute days and exacting significant revenge on you.
The only good solution I see is to not provoke one of them, and be ready to pedal an escape if that didn't work.
The only good solution I see is to not provoke one of them, and be ready to pedal an escape if that didn't work.
#92
Rolling along
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: NH
Posts: 265
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I am sure there will be a bunch of jokes about the title but here's why I ask?
The other day a driver ran through a stop sign at about 40 mph. This was about 30 feet in front of me in a
very decent residential area.
I yelled "hey!". Nothing more.
The driver (male) slammed on the brakes, jumped out the car and came rushing at me with fists clenched.
This dude was hopped up on something and was ready to take me out.
Long story short, after he picked up my bike and threw it, he realized there were people watching and yelling
at him about calling the police, he took off.
So what would you have done? Do you carry any kind of weapon or even pepper spray?
Just curious. I am not really sure what I should do.
The other day a driver ran through a stop sign at about 40 mph. This was about 30 feet in front of me in a
very decent residential area.
I yelled "hey!". Nothing more.
The driver (male) slammed on the brakes, jumped out the car and came rushing at me with fists clenched.
This dude was hopped up on something and was ready to take me out.
Long story short, after he picked up my bike and threw it, he realized there were people watching and yelling
at him about calling the police, he took off.
So what would you have done? Do you carry any kind of weapon or even pepper spray?
Just curious. I am not really sure what I should do.
Obviously you want to carry a projectile ejecting weapon, it's your choice, your morals involved, if you do and cause "harm" this "getting others to agree" won't hold up in court.
Carry a phone with a camera, hold it up, it's a modern day gun
#93
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,431
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1108 Post(s)
Liked 219 Times
in
132 Posts
In my city, last night a 50+ year old man was going home after having closed his shop. He was walking home with his wife. Carrying money from that day's business. They were attacked by 3 men. Attackers used pepper spray on the woman, one started beating her, while the other two turned to the man.
The man pulled 357, shot the first attacker that came to him 2 times, in the thigh and in the head. The attacker lived (head shot might have been a ricoshet, probably, since it didn kill him). Attackers fled.
Had he not carried the gun, his wife and him would have been beaten up and robbed. Now he's going to 5+ years in prison. Thugs said they were not going to rob him, just wanted to fight.
Point is - if you carry a gun, in a stressful situation you will get scared and use it. Not always wisely (impossible for 99% of people to control themselves when very scared). So I guess it's wiser not to carry. At least in my city. Robbers take money and run - not many people get killed while being robbed where I live. 1 in over 10.000 perhaps.
I rely on judging surroundings, paying attention to people, places, where I go and when, also make sure I don't look like an easy target with lots of cash. AND avoid conflicts at all times - just smile and wave.
Realised I just lied! I almost always carry weapons, but they are in the bacakpack at the rack, or in the panniers. Knife for cutting cable insulation etc, sometimes even gun for practice shooting, but it is not stored in a way to be used for self defence/attack, but in a way to be safe, taking loooooooong time to unpack.
The man pulled 357, shot the first attacker that came to him 2 times, in the thigh and in the head. The attacker lived (head shot might have been a ricoshet, probably, since it didn kill him). Attackers fled.
Had he not carried the gun, his wife and him would have been beaten up and robbed. Now he's going to 5+ years in prison. Thugs said they were not going to rob him, just wanted to fight.
Point is - if you carry a gun, in a stressful situation you will get scared and use it. Not always wisely (impossible for 99% of people to control themselves when very scared). So I guess it's wiser not to carry. At least in my city. Robbers take money and run - not many people get killed while being robbed where I live. 1 in over 10.000 perhaps.
I rely on judging surroundings, paying attention to people, places, where I go and when, also make sure I don't look like an easy target with lots of cash. AND avoid conflicts at all times - just smile and wave.
Realised I just lied! I almost always carry weapons, but they are in the bacakpack at the rack, or in the panniers. Knife for cutting cable insulation etc, sometimes even gun for practice shooting, but it is not stored in a way to be used for self defence/attack, but in a way to be safe, taking loooooooong time to unpack.
Last edited by Bike Gremlin; 09-18-13 at 04:43 AM.
#95
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South East Massachusetts
Posts: 1,090
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
3 Posts
In my city, last night a 50+ year old man was going home after having closed his shop. He was walking home with his wife. Carrying money from that day's business. They were attacked by 3 men. Attackers used pepper spray on the woman, one started beating her, while the other two turned to the man.
The man pulled 357, shot the first attacker that came to him 2 times, in the thigh and in the head. The attacker lived (head shot might have been a ricoshet, probably, since it didn kill him). Attackers fled.
Had he not carried the gun, his wife and him would have been beaten up and robbed. Now he's going to 5+ years in prison. Thugs said they were not going to rob him, just wanted to fight.
Point is - if you carry a gun, in a stressful situation you will get scared and use it. Not always wisely (impossible for 99% of people to control themselves when very scared). So I guess it's wiser not to carry. At least in my city. Robbers take money and run - not many people get killed while being robbed where I live. 1 in over 10.000 perhaps.
I rely on judging surroundings, paying attention to people, places, where I go and when, also make sure I don't look like an easy target with lots of cash. AND avoid conflicts at all times - just smile and wave.
Realised I just lied! I almost always carry weapons, but they are in the bacakpack at the rack, or in the panniers. Knife for cutting cable insulation etc, sometimes even gun for practice shooting, but it is not stored in a way to be used for self defence/attack, but in a way to be safe, taking loooooooong time to unpack.
The man pulled 357, shot the first attacker that came to him 2 times, in the thigh and in the head. The attacker lived (head shot might have been a ricoshet, probably, since it didn kill him). Attackers fled.
Had he not carried the gun, his wife and him would have been beaten up and robbed. Now he's going to 5+ years in prison. Thugs said they were not going to rob him, just wanted to fight.
Point is - if you carry a gun, in a stressful situation you will get scared and use it. Not always wisely (impossible for 99% of people to control themselves when very scared). So I guess it's wiser not to carry. At least in my city. Robbers take money and run - not many people get killed while being robbed where I live. 1 in over 10.000 perhaps.
I rely on judging surroundings, paying attention to people, places, where I go and when, also make sure I don't look like an easy target with lots of cash. AND avoid conflicts at all times - just smile and wave.
Realised I just lied! I almost always carry weapons, but they are in the bacakpack at the rack, or in the panniers. Knife for cutting cable insulation etc, sometimes even gun for practice shooting, but it is not stored in a way to be used for self defence/attack, but in a way to be safe, taking loooooooong time to unpack.
#96
Senior Member
I carry everywhere I go.
#97
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I live in Maryland (Silver Spring), a burb of DC. At the beginning of Sept, I started riding all the way to work, which is in Downtown DC, about 20 miles exactly. A large portion of the ride is though trails that run through parks and forests. There are a decent amount of bums living out there, so I carry pepper spray. The rest of the commute isn't bad, although, Mt. Rannier is a little sketchy....
I did have a rather scary experience the other day. I was biking up a decent hill in MD. I was just spinning, maybe going 10mph, and I was in the shoulder. An older mini-van with NY plates pulls up next to me maybe 2 feet away, and starts pacing me. There are three youths inside. This is a two lane road, and fairly quiet. The opposing lane is empty, and these jerkoffs could of easily gone around, but they were clearly messing with me. I wave my arm and yell "What the f are you doing?" The keep on pacing me, and are saying something among themselves. They speed up a little and I take the lane behind them and throw them the bird. They brake and start slowing down and I am thinking "oh crap, get ready to peel off to a side street." One of them throws me the bird and they speed off. I saw a cop coming out of a park two minutes later and I still had eye sight of the van. I should have said something.....but I didn't
I would totally carry a handgun on me if MD and DC would recognize my right to do so. I have a wife and two small kids and I rather enjoy coming home to them every night and personally, I would rather not be a victim.
I did have a rather scary experience the other day. I was biking up a decent hill in MD. I was just spinning, maybe going 10mph, and I was in the shoulder. An older mini-van with NY plates pulls up next to me maybe 2 feet away, and starts pacing me. There are three youths inside. This is a two lane road, and fairly quiet. The opposing lane is empty, and these jerkoffs could of easily gone around, but they were clearly messing with me. I wave my arm and yell "What the f are you doing?" The keep on pacing me, and are saying something among themselves. They speed up a little and I take the lane behind them and throw them the bird. They brake and start slowing down and I am thinking "oh crap, get ready to peel off to a side street." One of them throws me the bird and they speed off. I saw a cop coming out of a park two minutes later and I still had eye sight of the van. I should have said something.....but I didn't
I would totally carry a handgun on me if MD and DC would recognize my right to do so. I have a wife and two small kids and I rather enjoy coming home to them every night and personally, I would rather not be a victim.
#98
Mostly harmless ™
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Novi Sad
Posts: 4,431
Bikes: Heavy, with friction shifters
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1108 Post(s)
Liked 219 Times
in
132 Posts
Exactly. If you put any force to protect yourself, you get sued (by the thugs, or the state). You're supposed to leave your assets to the thieves, because human life is more valuable than material assets. That's what the law says. Even if someone breaks into your house - unless you get attacked, you must not attack the intruder. Just fall back and call the police. Brilliant law... for the thugs.
#100
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Exactly. If you put any force to protect yourself, you get sued (by the thugs, or the state). You're supposed to leave your assets to the thieves, because human life is more valuable than material assets. That's what the law says. Even if someone breaks into your house - unless you get attacked, you must not attack the intruder. Just fall back and call the police. Brilliant law... for the thugs.