thiocyclist

Dogs and crooks, as well as raging drivers, come to mind as physical threats to the cyclist that don't necessarily involve a bike wreck. I have a friend who was taken off his bike while going 17 mph for a pit bull, for instance. My dad warns me that he used to hear about people getting pulled off their bikes as well.

Do you carry self defense tools? Tactical flashlights, knives, mace... guns?? How and why do you carry these tools? Have you had to use them?

Seeking real experience, not conjecture, if we can stay away from that.

350htrr

I carry Bear spray on my hip, The only time I "had to" use it, on was on 2 dogs that were "attacking" me, and then they wern't... I have ridden past a dozen times since, and they never came out again even tho they seen me...

Chris516

I don't carry anything except for my cell phone. I have never been attacked by a dog, and when I see a dog, I stop so I prevent less of a 'target' for the dog. I also stop for the sake of the dog owner if the dog is on a leash. Because I don't want the dog owner to suddenly yank on the leash, causing possible harm to the dog.

turbo1889

I've already posted on this topic more then once, if you want to know what I do just use the search function to pull up my posts. My primary problem issue I have to deal with is dogs, so far I have yet to develop an effective defense against two legged trouble encased in a semi-armored shell that does double as a weapon that isn't more likely to get me into trouble or have unacceptable risks to innocent by-standers (shooting at cars when the drivers are trying to use them as a kinetic energy weapon against me is not something I'm willing to do because the risks substantially outweigh any potential gains).

volosong

I carry nothing defensive. In the old days, my frame pump was my only defense against dogs. I've been chased by dogs a few times. Only one instance resulted in me going down. That was on my cross country bike ride and I was on a gravel road at the time. The quick turn of the front wheel caused the bike to slip out from under me. No real damage to me or the bike, and once I was down, the dog stopped advancing toward me. Another time I was nipped. Stopped with the bike between me and the dog. I started trying to kick the dog and eventually he backed off. All other times, I've seen them in enough time to outrun them. I like the bear spray idea. But, it is one more thing to have to carry. I'd probably carry some if they have a handlebar mount. Then it would he readily handy to use.

I don't worry about crooks. I'm big enough that nobody really bothers me. Never have been bothered, even in shady areas. In my youth, I traversed from time to time through Watts and South Central Los Angeles. A place where you would not want to be after dark. Every time I went through, it was just like riding in any other area. Nobody bothered me, or even paid me any mind.

Cars? What can you do? I ride with front and back strobes and that seems to make me visible enough that cars give me a wide berth. Very few people holler at me. Only times people have hollered at me in the past dozen years or so is some carload of punks trying to scare me. After the initial shock, there really isn't anything you can do because they are down the road by the time you think of something. Probably I don't get yelled at is either because of the area I ride or the fact that I strive to obey all traffic rules. If I don't give drivers a reason to yell at me, they probably won't.

Rootman

I am seriously considering the bear spray or a large pepper spray. Just this morning out of nowhere I had an immense pit bull type dog suddenly come up along side me barking and lunging. This things head was the size of a basketball, it's head, and teeth, were so close that I could touch him. I kept shouting and poured on the steam it couldn't keep up well enough to lunge or bite, it kept with me for dang near 1/4 mile.

One thing I wonder is the risk of blow back from a stream if I were to shoot bear spray. Has anyone actually used spray on a dog?

turbo1889

I don't use spray myself for cycling, but if your going to use it and don't want to risk getting some of it yourself, get the self defense spray that is foamy goo-ey sticky substance that comes out in a solid stream of foam and sticks to what it hits. I've used and tested all types of sprays, just not for cycling (non of which I personally am willing to trust without at the very least a back-up) and that is the best stuff for hitting what you want to hit without getting it on yourself because it does not become airborne but sticks to what it hits, obviously you want to hit the attackers face with that stuff.

If I have to carry spray not of my own choice or because better options are not avilable then I will but otherwise I will choose other better options and not even bother with the spray, spray doesn't always work, makes a mess, and can cause problems that a more terminal approach solves.

spivonious

The dogs on my commute route are all used to me, so I just say hi to them as I pass. They used to chase a bit, but they're all contained with invisible fences and/or good training.

gcottay

I keep my wits about me.

kingsqueak

I used to carry a gun for a living, I was also a bouncer, your best defense is, unless bound by duty, to simply leave. Too many people stick around and develop problems when they had opportunities to simply leave the circumstance, either physically leave, or suck it up and keep their mouths shut. If none of that works, do what it takes to be able to leave....whatever it takes, with whatever you have. The end-game is to leave, as whole as you can.

A bit of a side story to go with this, when working in security I told plenty of people that most problems are caused by not enough people being squarely punched in the mouth in the course of their lives. The two sides to this are that those with a big mouth could use an adjustment, and having had this experience it will generally increase the threshold before that same person exercises their mouth in the future. Everybody is happier as a result.

rumrunn6

so far, no.

well, actually, my deceased aunt's rosary beads that were blessed by the last pope ...

ItsJustMe

The biggest problem I have is wildlife. I nearly hit a possum this morning (it was dark and my summertime headlight is fairly narrow). I've nearly had deer hit me too.

Dogs have never been a problem. Once in a while one will chase me, I slow down and tell it to knock it off and go home, and they generally look confused. If they keep coming, I dismount and walk toward them, pointing back the way they came. Mainly I'm worried that they're going to get hit if they chase me onto the road.

OTOH, I'm in a rural/farm area and people are generally good pet owners, so the dogs are pretty good here.

CommuteCommando

I pack a mushy gray mass between my ears. I don't ride in high crime areas at certain times of day. I recognize that most dogs chasing bikes are being playful, but can still do damage if they catch you. I never pass cars, and especially buses, on the right. I realize that if I am fumbling for my gun when someone assaults me with one, I will probably lose anyway. I pick my routes carefully often going a mile or more off a direct route in order to take a safer one.

^^Exactly

GP

+1.

I've had good luck using a stern voice with dogs. I have a buddy that carries a folding knife zip tied to his stem. In an emergency he can pull it hard enough to break or cut the zip ties.

FBinNY 

The first thing to remember about dogs is that you need to keep control of your bike. IME more cyclists cause their own crashes when confronted by dogs, than dogs cause direct injury to cyclists.

I've seen people crash while trying to spray dogs with Halt, ot trying to swing a pump at them, or take a foot off the pedals and kick at them, and so on. So rule number one is keep control of your bike.

My most effective way of dealing with dogs these days is to authoritatively shout Go Home! and most do. If I can outrun them I do that, and most break off the chase at the property line.

Ultimately if you can't get them to break off the chase, and you can't outrun them, the best thing to do is dismount an keep your bike between you and the dog. One dog can't get around a bike you use as a shield, and after a minute or two will get bored and go home.

BTW- I was bitten once in my almost 50 years riding. A small poodle sitting quietly next to his master, all innocence, timed it out and latched onto my ankle as I rode by.

CommuteCommando

Poodles are nuttin. Chihuahua's are down right vicious. The only time I was bitten was by one of those.

achoo

If you were that tiny and had skin that tight, you'd be pissed off at the world too.

Number400

Best advice as posted above, is to remove yourself from the situation. If that is not possible, then try to get into a defensive position (like create space by putting your bicycle in between yourself and the threat). I carry a Kimber Pepperblaster II. Not a great defense but might help to create confusion/pain and give me the upper hand for a few minutes so that I can extricate myself. Check your local laws...

thiocyclist

Bear spray/foam is sounding good.

The friend that got brought down by the pit bull had some nasty bite marks. Personally I am not worried about the well being of any dogs that chase after me, I am worried about my well being at that point. I am not going to assume it's just being playful when I've known several that were awful creatures to everyone but their immediate owners (and often and eventually even to them).

Gray matter is nice but it is not foolproof. I like the idea of having options if I do inadvertently get stuck in a bad situation. I also want a tool that can help me get out of said situation without doing more harm than good, like a lethal weapon might, so bear spray/foam seems pretty smart.

ragtoplvr

I live in rural missouri where so many think they have to have a dog running loose (or several) to protect their stuff. I have been nipped twice, ran over a dog once and been hit full force in the petals once. You do need to know where the wind is before you spray. You need to practice with the spray before you need it. My can is Velcroed on the top tube, the aggressive dogs learn to associate the Velcro rip with the pepper spay. They run at me, hear that sound and stop dead, turn and run. It is far safer for the dog than being hit. and far safer for me too. Maybe I have sprayed a dog having fun. How do you tell, I made a mistake once and got bit, it was the dogs second bite and it was destroyed. The pepper spray, for any dog inside of 5 o 6 feet is best.

Rod

MassiveD

I agree with the idea that if they attack, they are fair game, but if you have enough experience with dogs you will soon realize you don't have to spray them. The main places I have had problems were rural areas where people leave huge dogs to run about when they go off to work. In one section of New Brunswick, I got attacked every few farms. Every dog deserved shooting, I am sure they were coursing game when they weren't after me. But you can't shoot dozens of dogs, and you can't spray them either, and you can't dismount and put the bike between you for every one. I carry a killing knife so if it got really bad I'm not the one getting bit. But I never failed to face the bastards down, while keeping on schedule. After having a moderate experience like that, I don't even break stride for the odd family dog in the city.

I have read about encounters with third world dogs/packs, and I am in awe. Have not faced that challenge.

Bear spray on dogs, I would have to get some info on that. I want something in the pepper range, but we have tons of bears, and I have talked to the guys who deal with them. One mentioned trying bear spray on a big bear he was deporting. The animal was in a tube, so he got the spray square in the face. The guy said he fell like he was pole axed. So I woud wonder about that concentration on a dog. Not for the sake of the dog, but from the perspective of owner troubles. I know of one case, outdoors but not cycling, where a guy who warded off some dogs with rocks, ended up with a gun fight on his hands.

Dogs have split personalities, quite capable of being extremely friendly and worthy companions to family and neighbours, while able to really put up a bluff to any outsiders that is quite fierce. You may have a bunch of very angry and protective people if you use chemicals designed for bears on the neighbourhood dog. As insane as it is to get chased by dog after dog, from farm to farm, each one of these animals is the family pet, while I am just passing through. And I am not moving out of the area all that fast either.

And then, there are actual bears around here. The spray is quite expensive, and I would need to carry a lot of it if I was to spray every dog. I do wonder about cattle prods though. Stun guns are not legal where I live. The dogs that chase hard are usually following a hunting urge, and they want to bite your foot usually. A prod to the nose would shake them up, but leave no marks or drool and spray stains.

walrus1

Primarily I hope to outrun and outlive any danger. I always have my cell and a spare charged battery for it. If all else fails my Kryptonite U-lock is kept in the front pocket of my messenger bag and I bet could make a handy improvised weapon. I don't want to carry pepper spray Mace, knives and guns are illegal or highly restricted where I live.

I've had run in with cabbies, pedestrians, bike messengers and drivers from out of state. One lady really didn't like it when I yelled watch the @#$! out when she almost right hooked me. But I have never ever had a problem with a dog. But in all cases I either shrugged or made a gesture and rode on. Thats the best course of action imho. You start packing for a fight you'll eventually get a fight. Keep in mind there is no guarantee you're going to be able to win it.

phoebeisis

Gotta agree with FB and Kingsqueak
Don't wreck your bike flailing away with your foot kicking or fumbling for spray
Leave-pedal on

Humans and cars injure bike riders-dogs-pretty rarely actually damage bike riders much

I was bitten many many times as a kid- we bred beagles-for show-and they would regularly get in battles with one another-and I would intervene-
so nipped bitten many times-just wash it up-forget it- dogs rarely rabid-
Now pit bulls-with ENORMOUS heads and jaws-give me pause! Piss in your pants-but do it while pedaling away if one of them is after you!
Most dog bites-nips-not a big deal-so control your bike-LEAVE

Notgrownup

I keep pepper spray, haven't had to use it... got chased by a Pit Bull last week and screamed at it and eventually turned around...My spray is ready at all times....

lenA

I ride mostly in rural farm country. Most dogs these days are restrained in one way or another. What I look out for is a situation when humans, especially children, are outdoors in the company of family dogs. Those will chase sometimes. Hopefully I'll be going downhill or wind aided.. add a shot of adrenalin and cranking up to 25 mph should put me out of reach... or so I tell myself

I do carry pepper spray too.