Security

[SouthernBelle]

I've had friends express concern about me riding out in the boonies by myself. I've never felt afraid.

But that being said, does anybody carry anything for protection? I've thought about pepper spray. In fact, I have access to some. But unless it can be mounted where you can grab and spray it wouldn't be much good. Plus there is the blow-back factor. Right now, I would rely upon my relatively harmless dog spray.

[mimitabby]

the only security measures i have are vigilance and common sense.

I was thinking about the thread about the sniper shooting a bicyclist last night and the suggestion that they carry guns. If a sniper shoots you,
your gun is just one more hard heavy thing that's going to hurt when you land on it.
Guns might be useful in some situations, but while you are biking, if someone hiding in the bushes decides to shoot you; YOUR gun isn't going to help you much unless you have it mounted on your handlebars.

We used to carry rocks when riding through doggie territory but haven't had that problem much for a while.

[SouthernBelle]

True. Most of my concern is out of my friends' concern. But the woman in Smyrna was riding a route she had apparently ridden many times.

You just can't account for psychos.

ETA: Absolutely no plans to carry firearms here.

[Geonz]

I carry pepper spray in case of dogs, though it made me feel a little more secure one evening when the occupants of a car seemed to be considering less than pleasant interactions with me at an intersection through the window. (Our paths ended up not crossing.)

[Bikingmomof3]

I am just filled with questions today. Where does one obtain pepper spray? Or is there a dog repellent? I live in an area filled with big dogs. Pepper spray is for strangers-does it work as well on dogs? Fireams for me are absolutely out of the question. I am even leary about pepper spray.

[Grog]

Vigilance, common sense, as Mimitabby said, and, I would add, confidence and assertiveness.

This applies more to walking than cycling, but I always walk with a purpose, looking ahead, back straight and proud shoulders. Even when I am lost in a foreign city where I don't know the language or in a shady part of a strange town. I don't want to be in a situation where someone feels justified to offer me help; however I will go get help myself before it's too late (and will make sure I am never in a situation where I am vulnerable to good samaritans, like I will always have the capacity to fix my own flats).

If someone talks to me, I always talk back with a confident voice or if I choose to ignore this person (which I wouldn't do except in specific circumstances I think), I do it with pride and confidence, too. Smiling (rather than being snotty/*****y) facilitates firmness and assertiveness and fends off many problems. And I keep going at my purpose (i.e. keep walking), not getting distracted and staying aware of my body, belongings and surroundings.

It might be by sheer chance that I never had problems, but I have put myself in what others would consider potentially dangerous situations in the past (like walking out in a strange city by myself in the middle of the night), have encountered shady strangers and had conversations with some of them, and have always courteously walked out of every situations. No physical constraints were ever applied to me. This, again, could be sheer luck. But I tend to believe that if I don't look and act like a prey (or, worse, an easy prey), I will not be picked by predators.

So if a sniper wants to shoot me off my bike while I ride of course that might happen. But I won't stop riding (or doing anything else, for that matter) for potential predators out there.

[Grog]

p.s. I wouldn't want to use pepper spray. It could very easily be snatched from me and used against me. And, of course, firearms are absolutely out of question.

[chickwhorips]

i do the same as grog. make myself seem as confident as possible. i make it seem is someone is going to try to attack me, its going to be the last thing they wish they did.

i've gotten a few of those emails about what to do in certain situations. think for the most part they are good advice. not sure if you've ever gotten one of those.

not sure about pepper spray. i know people carry it up here for bears, but its hard because you have to take in account of the wind. if your in the wrong wind direction your going to get sprayed. also, if you don't spray and get out of there, you still get some in your lungs. i remember being around where someone was peper sprayed and i had a hard time breathing and i was quite a distance off.

with weapons, thats another story. you have to have a special permit (i know in phoenix anyhow) to have a concealed weapon. i'd be afraid of someone turning on me and using it. though i do carry a hand gun and a radio (no cell phones here) but that's incase of a bear, not person. odds of seeing another person are slim to none on most days.

[MomOnBike]

I'll echo the not acting like a victim thing.

I've also thought that our bike chains/cables could be a very effective defensive weapon. A U-lock would probably be best, though, come to think of it.

Another thing that might help is a women's self-defense class. Surely you'd learn some techniques there. I probably shouldn't speak too loudly, I haven't done this yet, but I should.

[Aggie_Ama]

The running stores here carry pepper spray.

I have thought about getting a can. Being on my bike doesn't scare me. What I thought about was the night I got a flat. I was on a busier road, so a lot of people were watching. If I was out in the boonies I might have been a target. Of course I tend to be completely naive, we have a low crime rate and I feel really safe. I don't worry about walking my dogs at 3:00 am (we don't have a yard and the girls gotta go). My miniature schnazuers are only harmful to the occasional cricket!

[Geonz]

I agree - casting an aura that simply does *not* expect bad things from people goes very, very far. I've talked a total stranger who quite probably did mean me harm from my bedroom at 3 a.m.
And the pepper spray isn't conspicuous (I got it from somehwere online - but I cruised for a site where I wouldn't end up on every NRA mailing list and more weird catalogues than I was ready for - I think there is a site entirely devoted to pepper sprays) - dogs are not too likely to use it against me, and carrying it as if it were to be used against humans would totally counteract that "I don't expect to be messed with" aura. (My motto is "the best defense is not to be worth fighting." - not worth it 'cause I"m no threat, not worth it 'cause I look like I might be NUTS, sometimes I wonder which one I'm casting...)

[SouthernBelle]

As to the dog spray, what I have is a citrus based spray that I got at PetSmart. I've only used it once when a doggie was snapping right at my ankles, I was on an uphill and couldn't speed up. He ran right away.

[hsmpcycle]

I think the best thing you can do is prepare yourself mentally and physically in case a situation arises. You cannot control people shooting at you or anyone else around you, but you can at least take self-defense classes.

I am a big softie for helping out other people. Yeah, that can be a good thing, but often the perpetrators always use this to their advantage. They may disguise themselves as a fellow bicyclist with a flat or an injured runner. Making you feel obligated to stop to help them. I always make sure that when I am on a trail or on the road, I look for possible weapons laying around me such as a stick or rock, even my keys (this is why the pockets on your jersey is great) to stab out their eye, and I always look for quick exits to allow myself the opportunity to get out of the situation, which may require me to abandon my bycycle.

[Denise223]

You need a license in Mass to carry MACE. When you get your license at the police station, you bring it to the local police gun shop & purchase your mace.

Here's an online MACE site:

http://www.macebrand.com/index.php?main_page=index

To quote GEONZ:

(My motto is "the best defense is not to be worth fighting." - not worth it 'cause I"m no threat, not worth it 'cause I look like I might be NUTS, sometimes I wonder which one I'm casting...)

After reading this topic, I really have to be much more "conscious" of what I'm doing. More often than not, I do 'carry myself' in such a way that exudes confidence, that it wouldn't be worth someones time to mess with me.

But, there are times that I'll say, "hmm..frozen yogurt sounds good", and then I'll just leave the house with my keys and pocketbook -- not thinking at all that there might be potential risk. I DO have mace (one is on my keychain and the other I keep in my pocket).
I have to be honest, IMO, with MACE, you really have to be pretty prepared if you have to use it -- things can happen in a split second.

What do you ladies suggest when you're out walking alone, and you come up against two or more people that "you just get that feeling in the pit of your stomach", that maybe they're out to do you harm??? (sometimes, it's sheer paranoia...)

MomonBike-- you mentioned a women's self defense class... I think that's a great idea.

Unfortunately, in todays world there are just too many weird, creepy people out there..... MOST people that are considererd "dangerous" LOOK ABSOLUTELY NORMAL!!

It makes all the sense in the world to be cautious & prepared. AWARENESS IS KEY!!

Thank you SouthernBelle for starting this topic.

Have a great day!

Denise

[Bikingmomof3]

As to the dog spray, what I have is a citrus based spray that I got at PetSmart. I've only used it once when a doggie was snapping right at my ankles, I was on an uphill and couldn't speed up. He ran right away.

Thank you for the tip! I will check with my local pet stores. Oddly, humans I am not affraid of, strange dogs terrify me. I would not want to carry anything too "harmful", with my luck, I would spray myself.