Safety and Cycling Shoes

[amithereyet]

Are any of you worried about not being able to run well in cycling shoes? I wasn't, until I learned of a case in which a triathlete was attacked while she was on her bike. Once off of her bike, it was reported that she couldn't run from her attacker.

I was not concerned about this until I learned that the triathlete's attacker moved into my area. Now I don't ride with clipless pedals at all.

Is this letting the terrorists win?

[maillotpois]

I was not concerned about this until I learned that the triathlete's attacker moved into my area. Now I don't ride with clipless pedals at all.

Is this letting the terrorists win?

Pretty much.

[indigoiis]

This is a valid concern.

How about this. Let's say you bring an extra tube on a long solo ride, and during that ride, due to an unfortunate event, you get a flat and use the spare tube. Then, about eight walkable miles from home, you flat again. Now you've got no choice but to walk eight miles in shoes designed not to be walked in. On a nice sunny day, that's not as much concern as a blustery day threatening rain, or in an area that might not be safe for a woman walking alone, particularly a "handicapped" woman.

It's a risk we take, but, ask yourself this: would you let your teenaged daughter ride with those shoes, in your area?

[Eden]

I agree with Maillotpois, you shouldn't change your life around for what ifs. If you just can't get it out of your head, you could switch your shoe style to a mt bike/touring shoe with recessed cleats.

[Bad JuJu]

Seems like a viable compromise might be to switch to MTB shoes and pedals. MTB shoes are generally much more "walkable" than road bike shoes.

Sure it might cost you a little speed, but what is that worth to you in peace of mind about your personal safety?

[Grog]

How about this. Let's say you bring an extra tube on a long solo ride, and during that ride, due to an unfortunate event, you get a flat and use the spare tube. Then, about eight walkable miles from home, you flat again. Now you've got no choice but to walk eight miles in shoes designed not to be walked in.

You should have a full patch kit, a pump, and the skills to use both (and other related equipment) to begin with.

It's indeed a matter of safety.

One single extra tube just doesn't do the trick.

[SouthernBelle]

I also can't run in heels. If I was broken down on the side of the road, in heels and a straight skirt, I would be in just as much danger. But these are basically my work clothes.

One should take reasonable precautions, but I can't live by 'what ifs.' I do have Halt on my bars and would use it.

[Dianyla]

Seems like a viable compromise might be to switch to MTB shoes and pedals. MTB shoes are generally much more "walkable" than road bike shoes.
I've always preferred mt. bike specific bike shoes for safety reasons. Forget getting assaulted or having to walk 3 miles from a flat. I'm more worried about slipping and breaking my neck going down a flight of stairs! :p

[mimitabby]

another roadie here that wouldn't be caught dead in shoes i can't walk in.
I use MTB shoes.
and I won't wear high heeled shoes either!!

be prepared!

[Grog]

I also can't run in heels.

Sorry for the hijack (it's my week for hijacking):

I always half-joked that heels and purses are a conspiracy against women to keep them under control. Can't run with heels (and generally we're a bit less stable than with flat shoes), can't do much with your hands if holding a purse. Try escaping a building on fire with heels (or, worse, barefoot). (Plus: loosing a few precious seconds grabbing the purse, in case it's a false alarm, instead of just having a wallet in one's pockets).

I had never seen bike shoes in that light... But now that I think about it, I would probably take my mtb pedals and shoes with recessed cleats if touring in an unknown area away from urban services...

However for every-day riding I'll keep my road shoes.

[7rider]

I one time saw a guy jogging down the side of the road, with his road bike beside him. He was in his stocking feet (i.e., wearing only socks and holding his shoes in his hand). I slowed (I was on my bike) to offer assistance. He declined and said he flatted, had no tube, and was on his way home. He had called his son, who was en route to pick him up, he was just trying to make use of his wait time.
So...if attacked, how quickly can you kick off your shoes? I imagine (although perhaps I'd have other things on my mind at the time) that I'd try to ditch my shoes and run in my socks, if I couldn't out-ride the guy to begin with. I don't really like my shoes, anyway!

[Tater]

another roadie here that wouldn't be caught dead in shoes i can't walk in.
I use MTB shoes.
and I won't wear high heeled shoes either!!

be prepared!

Amen, Sister!! I wholeheartedly agree!

[Kano]

Shoes we can't walk in, no matter what their design purpose -- bike shoes, work shoes, whatever, are only good for when there's no chance of needing to walk.

Hmmm, I guess there's no need to buy the shoes we can't walk in!



Live in fear of something that might happen? Not a good idea. I refuse to do it. On the other hand, I'm not going to live stupid either, except on that GREAT straight downhill run on the way into town from my house, and that other EXCELLENT straight downhill run on Pleasant Valley road (my re-ward for that wicked climb!)

Karen in Boise

[Happy_Wheels!]

amithereyet!

Honey!

Do not live your life in fear!

Instead live with awareness and sensitivity!

Refuse to be afraid!

And make your next post an intro of yourself!

Negativity leaves us wondering who the true you is!

Luv,
Happy_Wheels!

[redrhodie]

Not that out running is a bad idea, but it's not always possible to do so. There are self defense classes designed for women that teach you what to do when you're not going to out-run the bad guy, like when you're asleep in you bed, and he's on top of you. Sorry to be scary, but it happens. You can be attacked anywhere.

I went to a "Model Mugging" demontration years ago in NYC. I'm not even sure if they're still in business. I didn't take the class, but I learned so much from just the demonstration, things I still remember when a creepy guy is walking too close behind me on a desolate street. I don't feel helpless. I know there are things I can do to try to stop an attack, and good ways to fight (dirty!) if I have to.

If you're afraid of being attacked, I recommend that you take a self defense class. It's really empowering.

[DDH]

Not that out running is a bad idea, but it's not always possible to do so. There are self defense classes designed for women that teach you what to do when you're not going to out-run the bad guy, like when you're asleep in you bed, and he's on top of you. Sorry to be scary, but it happens. You can be attacked anywhere.

I went to a "Model Mugging" demontration years ago in NYC. I'm not even sure if they're still in business. I didn't take the class, but I learned so much from just the demonstration, things I still remember when a creepy guy is walking too close behind me on a desolate street. I don't feel helpless. I know there are things I can do to try to stop an attack, and good ways to fight (dirty!) if I have to.

If you're afraid of being attacked, I recommend that you take a self defense class. It's really empowering.


This was going to be my suggestion. Take a self defense class or learn a martial art. It's always better to try to get away and that is what most teach, but you may need to be able to disable the person enough to get away. My son is in what is called American Ninjitsu and this is mostly self defense moves to enable you to get away from your attacker first. If this is not possible then you imobilize them.
This not only makes you safer but also boost your confidence tremendously.
Don't let the criminals win.

[Meg McKilty]

One should take reasonable precautions, but I can't live by 'what ifs.'

Here, here!

If you get attacked, think about what you would do so you know. Being a medical professional, one MUST take action; there are no spare seconds.

Think the same way when something may happen: you've got shoes with hard cleats sticking out of the bottom of them and carbon soles, you've got a hard helmet, you have a bike if you can manage to get behind it and swing it around (one can always buy a new bike).

Last but not least, all good boxers know you always have your fists. Don't give up the good fight. I refuse to live in fear of people and things.

[KnottedYet]

I don't wear high heels.

I don't wear road shoes.


If I can't run across a street in it, I ain't wearing it.

(am I the only one who remembers the piles of women's high heeled shoes ditched during Sept 11th and during the continent-wide black out a couple years later? There's a reason...)