Advocacy & Safety - Yo let me see that bike.

Today I rode by 2 teenagers in a suburb area and they were like "yo, let me see your bike." I pretend I didn't hear them lol. What would you guys do in this situation?

If they were small enough probably double take on them and laugh.. if not.. just do what you did.

If I was a teenager I'd probably increase my speed and get the heck out there. If it was me today I'd probably just roll my eyes and ride on.

I would, however, take subtle note of their identity and the location of the incident, on the off chance they were possibly going to go beyond a joke or an idle threat with someone else, like my wife, who rides the same bike path and route home that I do.

If I was a teenager I'd probably increase my speed and get the heck out there. If it was me today I'd probably just roll my eyes and ride on.

I would, however, take subtle note of their identity and the location of the incident, on the off chance they were possibly going to go beyond a joke or an idle threat with someone else, like my wife, who rides the same bike path and route home that I do.

Agreed.. even though it probably was a joke.. teenagers tend to lack sense so who knows what would happen if you stop actually looking for confrontation?

I actually had a situation similar to the OP, several weeks ago. It was a couple Caucasian teen boys(they are just as creepy; It isn't only African-Americans, Hispanics, or Asian-Americans pull this kind of garbage) and it was a relatively crime-free area. I just told them I had to keep going and, started pedaling faster.

Thankfully I can take hills with no problem. Because, The area I encountered these boys was the beginning of a big long hill shortly after the start of my ride.

What was to their advantage, but my disadvantage, was that the district station of the county police used to be in a strip mall which wasn't too far from where it happened. But the county police relocated the district station about two miles away from where they had been for years.

Such "greetings" happen to me occasionally. I just ignore them and ride on.

-G

Same thing you did.

Yup, you did right; joking? Not hardly -- that's just the excuse they'd give if you:

a.) beat them both down; or
b.) incapacitated them just enough for the 911 responders to arrive after they DID try to jack your bike.

I have the same reaction, also, when some smartass hood-rat wants to holler, "HEY! THAT'S MY BIKE!" (Although, the last time that happened, I did reply: "You F'N WISH.")

Shoot 'em?

Today I rode by 2 teenagers in a suburb area and they were like "yo, let me see your bike." I pretend I didn't hear them lol. What would you guys do in this situation?

I'd probably do the same as you. Depending on how many of them there were would determine how fast and in which direction I sprinted away from them.

See the thread that has been moved about the 65yr old man who had to shoot two out of three thugs that jumped him while he was out riding.

I've been getting "shout outs" like that (typically w/my lights). My reaction depends on what was said, and how many were present. If it seems genuine, and I feel ok with the situation, I may talk to them. If not, I keep going.

"Yo, let me have your bike!" (I have to wonder if this has ever worked, or if he thinks it will)
"Have you ever been pepper-sprayed?"

He stopped smirking and sulked off. :p

Depends on the situation. Time of day, location, and whether or not there are other people around. I've met some people that are honestly curious about my bike and setup. It's usually because they aren't uses to seeing a dérailleur bike with cruiser bars.

I'm a high school teacher in a tough city school. I sometimes double back and go talk to them. One time in a neighborhood known as "The Hollow," I let one ride my Dahon Curve, asking only that he didn't wheelie it. He wheelied it. But I did get it back. I am six foot four...

The Hollow:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5797334.jpg

Bridgeport:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2561/4133040348_15197eef5a_z.jpg

Don't try this at home...

I'm a high school teacher in a tough city school. I sometimes double back and go talk to them. One time in a neighborhood known as "The Hollow," I let one ride my Dahon Curve, asking only that he didn't wheelie it. He wheelied it. But I did get it back. I am six foot four...

The Hollow:
http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/5797334.jpg

Bridgeport:
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2561/4133040348_15197eef5a_z.jpg

Don't try this at home...

That is New Haven(CT)? It really has gone down hill in 30+yrs.

I lived in Brattleboro(VT) near the border to Keene(NH) on several occasions during the 1970's. When I would have to go to Boston Children's Hospital for period checkups, and emergencies, we would sometimes go through New Haven. It didn't look that bad back then.:rolleyes:

Today I rode by 2 teenagers in a suburb area and they were like "yo, let me see your bike." I pretend I didn't hear them lol. What would you guys do in this situation?

ignore and ride on!

What would you guys do in this situation?

SPRINT! and hard.
Back in the day, I used to visit my sister by bike, and I had to pass through a "depressed" neighborhood. Riding down a street, I saw at the corner three youths, one on one side, two on another. Two of them had broom sticks, the other a large rock. It didn't take much thought as to what they where up to. As luck would have it they were looking the opposite way from me, so I started to pour on the power, and when I shifted, one of them, the one with the rock, heard me, and yelled to his buddies. By the time I passed them I was moving at a pretty good speed, 25 at least, in the middle of the street. If one of them stepped in front of me, we where both going down. But again luck intervened, the two with the sticks didn't notice me until I was flying passed. But the punk with the rock did throw it at me, and hit my rear wheel(not a bad throw really). I still have that wheel, and the small dent from the rock.

On my 'bent? I'll stop.... heck, they'd have to carry it or push it to get away. I've always gotten a ton of comments when riding one of my 'bents - seems something about a recumbent makes people want to see it up close. Young, old, men, women and even hoodlums. Was told once my bike 'was pimpin'. What IS that crazy thing?

On my commuter, it would depend on the situation.

SPRINT! and hard.
Back in the day, I used to visit my sister by bike, and I had to pass through a "depressed" neighborhood. Riding down a street, I saw at the corner three youths, one on one side, two on another. Two of them had broom sticks, the other a large rock. It didn't take much thought as to what they where up to. As luck would have it they were looking the opposite way from me, so I started to pour on the power, and when I shifted, one of them, the one with the rock, heard me, and yelled to his buddies. By the time I passed them I was moving at a pretty good speed, 25 at least, in the middle of the street. If one of them stepped in front of me, we where both going down. But again luck intervened, the two with the sticks didn't notice me until I was flying passed. But the punk with the rock did throw it at me, and hit my rear wheel(not a bad throw really). I still have that wheel, and the small dent from the rock.

Bleeping kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SPRINT! and hardPersonally, I'd suggest pretending that you didn't hear them, which means not responding and not sprinting away - just keep riding. But do keep an eye on your surroundings after that, and if they appear behind you on bikes (or in a car) gaining fast -- then maybe it's time to sprint (and aren't you glad you aren't exhausted from sprinting right away?)

Personally, I've found that the things to do for riding in bad neighborhoods are 1) make sure you've got flat resistant tires -- the last thing you want is a mechanical in a bad part of town, 2) don't lollygag -- go as fast as you can sustain without wearing yourself out (this also tends to mean running stop signs and red lights when you can do so safely, but never take the right of way from anybody else), and 3) give any pedestrians as much room as possible, never passing any within arm distance.

What if they truly were curious kids ?? What if you stopping to show them your bike, may have changed their opinion about snotty cyclists ? Just asking...

Nothing. I don't stop to make small talk with pedestrians. No offense to peds, but there's a reason I'm on my bike, and I'm out to accomplish it.

I try to ride as stealth as possible when going through certain neighborhoods- street clothes, understated bike, etc. Very seldom do I get comments other than ones of encouragement. The one or two cases that were like the OP, I simply rang my bell and waved. I'm sorry, but every time I've rung my bell, the people around me smile. If they are teenaged girles, they usually laugh derisively. Whatever.

If it's the barrio, I ring my bell just to keep them guessing as to whether I know Spanish. Better to keep my mouth shut and keep them guessing than to yak at them and remove all doubt.

I would also have ignored them. Now, if I'm stopped and a young person wants to talk bikes, and is obviously interested in bikes, that is another thing. But these guys seemed to be either messing with you or perhaps even wanting to take the bike. It's best just to ignore and move on.

What if they truly were curious kids ?? What if you stopping to show them your bike, may have changed their opinion about snotty cyclists ? Just asking...

Read the post again. . . TEENAGERS. . . "Yo, let me see your bike."

Street talk for, "Sucker, come close enough for me to steal your bike out from under you, cuz I want money without working for it. I'm TOO COOL for work."

Genaro, no flame here, but you remind me of the 'optimist' in this example:

An optimist is a father who WILL let his teenage son borrow the car.
A pessimist is a father who WON'T.
A cynic is a father who DID.

Read the post again. . . TEENAGERS. . . "Yo, let me see your bike."

Street talk for, "Sucker, come close enough for me to steal your bike out from under you, cuz I want money without working for it. I'm TOO COOL for work."

You should fire your translator. He's making you look silly.

Definitely depends on the circumstances. a few years ago, i was riding my Trek 2100 9older bike but still looks badass) about a block from home when this white teenage kid rides up next to me....

Kid: Hey, nice lookin, bike!

Me: Thanks.

Kid: My brother has a Trek too. Boy, he'd love to see that!

Me: Really.

Kid: Yeah, man, hey, he's just a block from here, how 'bout riding over there so we can show him?

Me: Sorry, got some place to be.
Me (to myself) Do I look like I have "stupid" written all over me?

OTOH, last fall I was riding my beater/commuter Schwinn when this young black kid rides up and says "nice bike". I said thanks. He was riding a pretty a pretty cool bike himself-looked like a home-brewed, small rear/large front tire on a metalflake orange frame- and I told him so. He seemed to appreciate that-rode next to me for half a block then said "see ya" took off.

So like I said, it depends, Still, bottom line- when in doubt, play it safe.

Um, maybe I'm just naive. I really don't think it would occur to me to automatically assume a couple of teenage kids were planning on assaulting me and stealing my bike.

It's nice to live in a fairly safe place, I guess. Though there's certainly crime here.

I'd be like, "Take my wife! Please!" and then keep riding.

Seriously though, usually I'm going too fast to take notice. My commute takes me through South Phoenix "ghetto" everyday and the most I get from the hood rats is "dang, that's some fast pedalin' son!"

You should fire your translator. He's making you look silly.You should pull your head out of the sand.

I saw a teenaged kid walking a basset hound while I was out on of of my rides, near a nice, scenic park on the south end of town. I told him "That's a great dog."

Somewhere, on DogForums.net, there's a thread about "another one of those damn cyclist tried to steal my basset hound!" Other people are replying about "never trust a guy on a bike" and "they'll ride off and you can't run fast enough to catch them."

Oh, the irony
I saw a teenaged kid walking a basset hound while I was out on of of my rides, near a nice, scenic park on the south end of town. I told him "That's a great dog."

Somewhere, on DogForums.net, there's a thread about "another one of those damn cyclist tried to steal my basset hound!" Other people are replying about "never trust a guy on a bike" and "they'll ride off and you can't run fast enough to catch them."The only irony is in your mind.

That is New Haven(CT)? It really has gone down hill in 30+yrs.

I lived in Brattleboro(VT) near the border to Keene(NH) on several occasions during the 1970's. When I would have to go to Boston Children's Hospital for period checkups, and emergencies, we would sometimes go through New Haven. It didn't look that bad back then.:rolleyes:
New Haven does have issues, my LBS' lead mechanic (Bicycling's first listing in October's 100 Top Shops) was shot dead last year (http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/bike_enthusiast_shot_dead) in New Haven, but I teach in Bridgeport, CT, which is like New Haven, only without Yale.

Um, maybe I'm just naive. I really don't think it would occur to me to automatically assume a couple of teenage kids were planning on assaulting me and stealing my bike.

It's nice to live in a fairly safe place, I guess. Though there's certainly crime here.

Must be..

I wouldn't stop, unless they look like fellow cyclists or something harmless. For example, I sometimes have to ride through bad areas of the city, and, especially in the summer, people on the streets will say to me things like, "Yo, let me get that bike." When this happens, I just laugh and keep riding.

Yup, you did right; joking? Not hardly -- that's just the excuse they'd give if you:

a.) beat them both down; or
b.) incapacitated them just enough for the 911 responders to arrive after they DID try to jack your bike.

I have the same reaction, also, when some smartass hood-rat wants to holler, "HEY! THAT'S MY BIKE!" (Although, the last time that happened, I did reply: "You F'N WISH.")

I'm sure that that is the "excuse" that the two surviving young thugs will use to "defend" their actions that resulted in one young thug dead and one with a bullet in him and one with a "free" trip to juvie."

Yes, I know that there are those who seem to think that the victim used excessive force in how he dealt with three "unarmed" young thugs. But when the odds are 3:1 and the three are young teens who should be in school and the one is a 65yr old senior citizen. I for one think that he acted correctly. As is if I read/remember correctly they have/had criminal records. Which is if one stops and thinks about it, backed up by the fact that they should have been in school. But instead were hanging on a bike trail and again if I read/remember correctly he wasn't their first victim of the day.

So I for one applaud his actions to protect his life and his bicycle. The parents of the two young thugs that were shot have no known to blame other then themselves. As if they'd taken more of an active role in raising their children the dead one would still be alive today, and the one who was just shot wouldn't have a piece of lead in his body.

Also to those who think that he should have fired a warning shot, just brandished his gun, or shot to wound. That is NOT what one is taught in how to handle their weapon(s). One is taught that if you're going to pull your gun to use it, and to use it to kill. Not to mention, if I'm not mistaken had the victim merely "brandished" his gun he might have ended up in more trouble for doing so then he might have been for defending his life with deadly force.

I also have to say that I tend to agree with several who pointed out that the victim needs to spend a little more time at the gun range and maybe next time he'll get them all.

Depends on the situation. Time of day, location, and whether or not there are other people around. I've met some people that are honestly curious about my bike and setup. It's usually because they aren't uses to seeing a dérailleur bike with cruiser bars.

Yeah, I've had a few people walk up to me and ask me about my bike. Depending on how they look and act determines how I respond and how much information I give out on my bike. But generally I give them vague generalizations.

What if they truly were curious kids ?? What if you stopping to show them your bike, may have changed their opinion about snotty cyclists ? Just asking...

You make some good and valid points. But sadly these days they're just as likely to want to jack a persons bike for a quick buck as they are to be honestly interested in learning more about cycling. And as we saw in the case of the 65yr old senior can we really afford to assume that they are "just joking" or are honestly interested in learning more about cycling?

That's not to say that some of them aren't honestly interested in learning more about cycling. But when you're sitting atop of a bike worth several hundred/thousand dollars does it really make sense to take the chance of having it jacked?

Definitely depends on the circumstances. a few years ago, i was riding my Trek 2100 9older bike but still looks badass) about a block from home when this white teenage kid rides up next to me....

Kid: Hey, nice lookin, bike!

Me: Thanks.

Kid: My brother has a Trek too. Boy, he'd love to see that!

Me: Really.

Kid: Yeah, man, hey, he's just a block from here, how 'bout riding over there so we can show him?

Me: Sorry, got some place to be.
Me (to myself) Do I look like I have "stupid" written all over me?

OTOH, last fall I was riding my beater/commuter Schwinn when this young black kid rides up and says "nice bike". I said thanks. He was riding a pretty a pretty cool bike himself-looked like a home-brewed, small rear/large front tire on a metalflake orange frame- and I told him so. He seemed to appreciate that-rode next to me for half a block then said "see ya" took off.

So like I said, it depends, Still, bottom line- when in doubt, play it safe.

Agreed, as I said in my OP it depends on the circumstances. If there is a ring of sincerity I'll probably stop and talk to them. If on the other hand they sound and look as if they're out for an easy buck like others here I'll pretended that I didn't hear them and keep on going.

Um, maybe I'm just naive. I really don't think it would occur to me to automatically assume a couple of teenage kids were planning on assaulting me and stealing my bike.

It's nice to live in a fairly safe place, I guess. Though there's certainly crime here.

Put yourself in the shoes of the 65yr old cyclist who had to use deadly force to defend himself. When he went out for his ride and despite the fact that he was "packing heat" does anyone really think that he was thinking that he was going to get jumped and have his bike jacked?

I seriously doubt it, but sadly he lived in an area where he needed to take more then the usual amount of caution. And sadly, as we saw in his case it paid off that he did.

I'd be like, "Take my wife! Please!" and then keep riding.

Seriously though, usually I'm going too fast to take notice. My commute takes me through South Phoenix "ghetto" everyday and the most I get from the hood rats is "dang, that's some fast pedalin' son!"

They fail miserably at being hood rats, if they say something nice like that.:eek:

I can't tell whether the OP is male or female. If female, absolutely do not stop, and if followed, pedal faster. In most cases, I myself would do the same, ignore the teens and keep pedaling. I'm a taller guy, but I'm not kidding myself into believing I can handle two or more teens should they decide to knock me around. I likely would stop in my own neighborhood for kids I have seen before. But in Detroit, not likely.

In San Diego the class I bike paths are used by the city as plein air insane asylums. City Hall and the police want to keep them down on the river paths where they are out of sight of 99% of the public. People loitering on the paths under bridges have tried to stop me on four occasions. Each time I click up two gears, get out of the saddle, and sprint directly at them with my elbows out. They almost always step to one side before I hit them, although I did knock two of them over once. I run bright daytime lights for visibilty. Once a bum stepped out onto the path from a group, said "Those lights are too bright," and tried to grab my handlebar. I jerked the bar out of his grasp and sprinted away.

People loitering on the paths under bridges have tried to stop me on four occasions. Each time I click up two gears, get out of the saddle, and sprint directly at them with my elbows out. They almost always step to one side before I hit them, although I did knock two of them over once. I run bright daytime lights for visibilty. Once a bum stepped out onto the path from a group, said "Those lights are too bright," and tried to grab my handlebar. I jerked the bar out of his grasp and sprinted away.

I can't visualize having my elbows out, but maybe I will eventually figure that out. Even so, I am glad you are alright from the incident with the 'bum'.

While I have not encountered a group of thugs yet, I would probably do my usual and go up eight gears(24-speed) from 12th to 20th, to really get away from them. That is despite the 15mph laws on the bike/ped paths(if I were to encounter them there).

They almost always step to one side before I hit them, although I did knock two of them over once.

Assaulting homeless people because you're nervous is bad karma. Even if your profiling skills are better than the police and you just know they're evil doers up to no good.

:(

Assaulting homeless people because you're nervous is bad karma. Even if your profiling skills are better than the police and you just know they're evil doers up to no good.

:(

So what, is he suppose to wait for them to not only step out at him in a threatening (at least as far as he is concerned manner) but to actually knock him to the ground and steal his bike?