Security

[Yasmin]

Hi all,
Anyone know what to do about personal security on a bicycle? I do a huge amount of riding alone & am aware that freaks exist. By law (in Australia) we're not allowed to carry a blade more than 3" long. At the moment I rely on manoeuvrebility on the bike & sticking to areas I know fairly well. However, I am aware of how vulnerable I am. Being 49yrs, 5' 2" tall & 112lbs doesn't make me look very threatening & could make me an easy target.
Any ideas? Thanks. Yasmin.

[Trek420]

hi there! good question.

a good place to start is here

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=protection

[Yasmin]

hi there! good question.

a good place to start is here

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ght=protection

Thanks for that. I've read what you've posted. Another fear I have is my mobile (cell) 'phone doesn't work in many areas I travel..no network coverage. I really need a satellite 'phone, but they're so expensive. Carrying some ammonia in a bottle sounds good. In Australia I don't think we're allowed to carry pepper spray, so ammonia might be the go for me. Thanks again. Look forward to reading more view points. Regards, Yasmin.

[Nanci]

I am so tired of being scared. First the attempted break in at my house. (Called police.) Then the Creepy Guy on the bike trail. (inquired at LBS, informed police that drove by.) Then the drunk creepy neighbor that turned up in the middle of the night Sunday. (Called police.) Then, I'm riding Monday, and had the worst, absolute worst dog chasing incident ever! Big dog, almost got hit by two cars and he still wouldn't give up, I was sprinting as fast as I could and he chased me _so far_ I couldn't believe it! Around a corner and kept on chasing. I now have double the desire for pepper spray, but BF assures me that there is no way I will be able to actually get it out and spray the dog in time. (I'm not sure before what, he bites me? Gives up? I crash?) Do you guys think that's true?

Nanci

[traveller_62]

nanci,

i agree with you BF. i was attacked by a dog just as i was slowing down in front of my house a year ago. even if i had pepper spray i would not have had a chance to use it. fortunately for me he bit and let go quickly so i didn't lose a chunk of my calf muscle (did have to get a shot though).

i've also been chased by dogs on my bike and i can't imagine trying to sprint AND getting the pepper spray ready!

in terms of human threats i think the general feeling is that if you carry a weapon of any type it will generally get used against you instead of your attacker. most of us aren't "wired" to inflict pain on someone and that moment hesitation is all that a "bad guy" needs to turn the tables.

i think our biggest source of protection is our own instincts. if i think i'm being followed or something i'll stop and look at my watch and look behind me as if i'm waiting for someone. or i'll pull out my cell phone and pretend i'm talking to someone. i think most attackers are opportunistic and are looking for easy marks. if they think things could get complicated they'll often move on.

traveller

[anne_77]

I don't know if I could get it out in time for a dog, but I do keep pepper spray wrapped on my lower handle bar (with a pony tail holder) just in case.

Luckily I haven't been chased by a dog yet. That would be so scary!

[Trekhawk]

Thanks for that. I've read what you've posted. Another fear I have is my mobile (cell) 'phone doesn't work in many areas I travel..no network coverage. I really need a satellite 'phone, but they're so expensive. Carrying some ammonia in a bottle sounds good. In Australia I don't think we're allowed to carry pepper spray, so ammonia might be the go for me. Thanks again. Look forward to reading more view points. Regards, Yasmin.

Hi Yasmin - yes you are right about peper spray or mace it is against the law to carry it in Aust so this will not be an option for you. Perhaps you could try carrying an airhorn or something that makes a lot of noise. I have been thinking about getting something like that myself and it would be good to use back in Aust when I return home.

[margo49]

I believe in riding early in the morning. The pathologicals are less likely to be out and about and those who *are* tend to be sporty types (runners, bikers,etc)
I also had a weird experience once which dissolved when I took out my cell phone. Which was quite funny (afterwards) because he drove off b4 the SO answered my call
What really upsets me is young men who harrass me. Because I think "I could be your Mother". Also men who will deliberately stop for a pee.

[DirtDiva]

I don't know if it's because I'm young and stupid, because I'm a naive little Kiwi or what, but I never ever think about that kind of stuff when I'm on my bike. *shrug*

[bluerider]

I believe in riding early in the morning. The pathologicals are less likely to be out and about and those who *are* tend to be sporty types (runners, bikers,etc)

I agree with this one! On weekdays during the summer I can only ride after work but on the weekends I ride early morning and find that crazies aren't up yet.

As for feeling safe, I am a young female rider who is 5'2 and small too. Outside of carrying my cell, I try not to think about it. I tuck my ponytail but I still wear my form-fitted jerseys and shorts as it is my right to do so. I don't how to describe it but I try to convey confidence through my body language and always have an idea of where I'm going or what I'm doing. I guess it's like that self defence technique where if you are walking alone on a street, you have to assert yourself and act like you know where you are going even if you don't. Don't look act vulnerable and it hopefully deters potential attacks but also mentally makes you stronger.

Harder on a bike but I have that mentality that you can't mess me and it carries through to my body language on the bike. I don't generally think about that kind of stuff when I am riding but I trust my instinct, if I sense a car parked up front doesn't look cool, I turn around. Eye contact is huge. Stare them down if you've seen the same truck pull by twice. I do that and actually take my shades off and do a stare down.

Mostly I try to stick to routes that I know are usually routined by other roadies too.

It depresses me to know that women have to think about this but just be aware and never doubt your instincts.

As for dogs, I've only been chased by one once and it was a Great Dane so I thought it was a horse at first running along. I thought wheee, this is like the TdF when the horsies run alongside until I heard it bark. I pedalled like I stole something and when the owner finally came out to call his beast (I mean this in nicest way), he waved and yelled sorry. Next time, I'll slow down as suggested but geez, when you're in a panic, you flee!!!

[Yasmin]

Hi Yasmin - yes you are right about peper spray or mace it is against the law to carry it in Aust so this will not be an option for you. Perhaps you could try carrying an airhorn or something that makes a lot of noise. I have been thinking about getting something like that myself and it would be good to use back in Aust when I return home.

Thanks Trekhawk. If I come up with any other ideas, I'll let you know. As you know, in Australia the "laws" usually take effect after an event has occurred. Personally, I prefer the prevention method. Cheers, Yasmin.