MNBiker

For Hetshup: if someone drives by again making obscene comments, consider looking at their face to remember what they look like and memorizing their license plate number (and write it down soon). Maybe you will want to call police to make a complaint. I'm not sure if this will help or not, but it's something to consider.

DieselAmy

We have begun to have a serious problem on our most popular MUP here in Indy, where lately multiple people on bikes have been knocked down and beaten enough to go to the hospital, including commuters from my workplace. Fortunately I don't ride this trail and I have no plans to do so! But the reality is my commute is not always in the best areas, and I try to pay close attention to what's going on around me. Another commuter saw me from the rear once and commented the way I was dressed didn't announce me as female, so I think that could help. I try to stick to the road and skip the MUP most of the time. I also say hi to the guys with paper sacks of booze as I pass because you never know who you might need as a friend on another day!

I feel safer in the morning when all the hoodlums are still in bed. In the afternoon I steer clear of the guys playing b-ball in the park, because you never know what a group will decide to do.

This thread has gotten me thinking about other options, though, like maybe an airhorn to call attention (might help with stray dogs too) or better mounting of my pepper spray. I keep my cell in my side shorts pocket, figuring I might need that and I'm not going to unzip my seatbag to call for help.

I figure the most likely crime might be to have my bike stolen out from under me, so I try to keep phone/wallet/ID on my person so I don't have to deal with them getting the credit cards and such.

It's an honest worry, but it doesn't keep me from riding. I think as cold weather hits the hoodlums will stay inside then too. But a nearby church keeps a banner up with the running homicide tally in town, and we're above 85 for the year, so it isn't all rosy.

Sixty Fiver

Kim - If you haven't done so already...it might be a good idea to post this question on the women's forum as well.

MrRamonG

Well you know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall. I got kicked in the crotch while sparring, it buckled me. Fell on the ground trying to catch my breath, I couldn't stand up for a few minutes. Didn't have a cup on, guess I should have been protecting my package better.
If your hands are occupied, pinned, or otherwise restrained, a knee to the crotch can work wonders. At least that's what I teach my students. And practice screaming. Screaming can be more difficult than it sounds when your'e scared, but it can confuse and actually startle an attacker.

coldfeet

I haven't read the whole thread, and I don't know if it means anything to the ladies here, but i know on my commute, no one is more than a minute or two from another rider coming through. i strongly suspect that 90%+ of the other male riders I see, and certainly for myself, if i saw someone harassing a female rider, or another male for that matter, something would be done about it.

ItsJustMe

No. We were doing light contact. The kick was not aimed at my crotch, it would have pulled short at my solar plexus but I decided to go inside at just the wrong time, and there was still a fair amount of energy in the kick at that level. I was pretty surprised though at how easy it was to ignore it until later.

Then again, I don't usually bother with anesthetic for dental work or stitches either, I just decide not to pay attention to the pain. I don't mind needles, but I hate being numb.

I'm still not big on wearing cups, I'm not high enough a belt to get into full contact anyway.

ItsJustMe

Yeah, it takes new students several months to really get into making a lot of noise when they attack. It can be intimidating even in controlled circumstances.

uke

Airhorns, whistles, screams--anything you have on you that can make lots of noise is a very good idea. Besides startling whoever's after you, it's also effective in drawing attention to what's going on wherever you are.

annc

If you want to head butt someone, don't wear a helmet. The sytrofoam that cushions your head will also cushion against the force that you're trying to apply to someone.

genec

And hey an Airzounds is a nice addition to a commuting bike! Those things are darn loud.

Fremdchen

Many of the posters in this thread don't say whether they're male or female. I'd be interested to know who's who. There seem to be two philosophies:

(a) Statistically chances are low for an attack and women shouldn't be so worried about it. (translation: it's all in your head)

(b) Women should take more self-defense classes, have a plan, carry pepper spray, vary our routes, not ride at night, ride in a group. (translation: there is a real threat)

So which is it?

Personally I am more concerned about inattentive car drivers than assailants, but that doesn't mean the risk isn't there. I am not riding in a pristine, safe-feeling city. I regularly get strange men walking up to me while I am stopped at red lights, making small talk (i.e. asking me personal questions) for undisclosed reasons. No telling if he might try to rob me, ask for money, try to get my phone number, whatever. I don't wait around to find out. But this is certain: they aren't talking to me to make friends. This is something that men are never on the receiving end of -- men coming up to you, not revealing any information about themselves or their intentions, not even bothering to introduce themselves, and launching into 20 questions about who you are. I get it at least once a week on the street. But of course when I don't readily answer the barrage of personal questions I am called a stuck up b*tch. Love it!

Fremdchen

Actually I clicked on this thread to say... the commuters this a.m. were 50/50 male to female. Helmet use was about 50/50 too, mixed between the genders. Lots of people riding. It's actually cool to not be the ONLY rider in the bike lane!

JusticeZero

Right, and the groin isn't one of those targets. It just doesn't work on anyone who's actually fighting. I'm one of the two people who said that, and I don't do TKD.

tjspiel

I don't think it's an either/or. How significant the threat is probably varies by area, when you ride, and where you ride.

There have been all kinds of threads about personal safety. There have been men on this forum that say they avoid certain routes at night or altogether. There are men who carry a gun while riding for reasons of personal safety. I don't know how you could argue that if the threats are significant enough for men to be concerned about that the chances of getting ***** aren't significant enough for women to worry about.

I will say this. Both men and women often find the prospects of a personal attack more disturbing than the prospects of getting injured in an accident. So even if the chances of getting hit and seriously injured by a car are greater than the chances of getting beaten and/or *****, it's somewhat beside the point.

So I would answer your question this way. If a fear of riding in traffic is preventing you from commuting or makes it a miserable experience, then take steps to mitigate those fears. You might change your route, the way you ride, or you may find your fears diminish with time.

Same goes for fear of personal attack. Change your route, the way you ride, and/or improve the ability to defend yourself. Your fear may or may not diminish over time. I've have found that the more time I spend in what I initially perceive to be a "bad" neighborhood, the less I fear being there. The thing to worry about is that perhaps sometimes I should be afraid when I'm not.

For what it's worth. A woman was pulled off her bike and ***** by a stranger in Minneapolis about a year ago. It wasn't in the greatest neighborhood but I believe it happened during the day. Now there are thousands of cyclists riding their bikes in the city on any given day and I suspect at least a third or more are women. So statistically I suppose that chances aren't that high of it happening but that's little consolation to those that it does happen to.
BTW. I am a male.

benda18

i am male, 27, 6 ft., 175 lbs, single, un-armed, and not trained in self defense. i won't hesitate to go into any neighborhood alone at any time of day/night bc i'm not willing to live a life of fear. this may sound over-the-top naive to many people, but imo to really live, one can't be afraid to die.

bebeblazfemi

I live in Philly, which I believe is still currently the most violent big city in the U.S. I ride my bike all over various parts of "Center City," at all times of day and night, though, most times at night, I'm with my husband. I ride on the streets, not on paths.
I don't ride in the most dangerous neighborhoods...oh, wait, well, for the most part. I definitely think being on the bike is safer than on foot, though.
Oddly, here, there are MUGGERS, and even one ******, on bikes, too!


I don't actively "think" about this too much. Not to say I don't think it could happen, but my approach to riding my bike is to be hyper-alert & assume everyone around me is an idiot and "wants" to do something stupid that could hurt me in some way. I'm that way in all circumstances, probably because I learned to defend myself 25 years ago, the hard way, against my psycho ex-Marine, ex-boyfriend.
It was a "good" learning experience in that I KNOW, unlike most, what I will do when attacked, and I know I won't hesitate to fight back, I have good instincts and extremely quick reflexes, thankfully.

Added to that, my husband has a blackbelt in Shotokan karate and taught me quite a bit- punching, kicking, blocking, etc. Turns out, I was a "natural" fighter anyway.

That said, although at my "chubbiest," I'm only 120 lbs. at 5'4", I wouldn't even blink before I punched through the trachea of anyone who messed with me and then beat them with my bike. ANYTHING can be a weapon in the right hands.


Oh, yeah, and I purposely wear a look on my face that says, "Don't ____ with me!"

recumelectric

I am female, age 40, 5'5" (not disclosing weight ), un-armed, and minimally trained in self defense. I share your philosophy. While caution and judgment are necessary and can seriously reduce risks, staying locked up in a box or a cage is no way to live.

I do look out for trouble, places where people might be hiding, people coming too close, etc., and I ride away from it. There is even a section of my ride where a bunch of kids are waiting on the sidewalk for their school bus, and I swerve out of the bike lane (with hand signals for oncoming traffic) and fully into the street. I know that there is always a chance that some dumb---- in the group will feel the need to stick a foot out or toss a stick or something.

Most of my riding takes place when people are out and about. I make a point of talking to some people that I regularly see (like crossing guards). It gives me the sensation that I'm being looked out for. (Side thought is if those little old ladies are out on foot early in the morning, I'm probably OK on a bike.)

I am not afraid to ride at night and I have done it countless times. This past spring, I rode to a temp job that ended at 10 PM each night. There was big drama at the worksite among the car people over this not being a safe neighborhood, locking cars, etc. I happen to live in the neighborhood, and I walk around and bike alot. Nothing has ever happened to me. One thing is that I am more cautious about routes and even more aware of my surroundings when riding at night.

...As for the perverted men on the street, well, I usually get homeless beggars. Last one started with, "Honey..." I just looked at him and said, "I ain't your honey. " Then I kept on walking. I've seen him around, but he hasn't bothered me since.

recumelectric

One more tip for female riders. I've found that the handlebars are a really good place to keep hair-ties and clips.

stockholm

I'm more afraid of crazy car drivers than anyone or anything else when on my bike, but that said, when it gets dark I usually ride in the streets and avoid the park or MUP. Kinda stupid perhaps, when you think about it.

And yeah, I'm female.

BikeNinjagirl

I always ride in highly visible places or I go where it's busy. The number 1 thing I have noticed with women here in Florida is their attire. I guess because it's hot here they wear minimal clothing to help stay cool. I personally think this is a big attention getter - mostly the wrong attention. I wear cycling capris and a t-shirt, helmet and messenger bag - I try to look as plain as possible. I don't know, maybe it helps maybe it doesn't but I haven't had any serious problems yet. I do carry pepper spray and what feels like a 90lb chain and lock - i think of both as pretty good weapons if needed - but that's probably a totally unrealistic thought - I'm not a fighter I'm a flighter )

My commute is 16 miles roundtrip 5 days a week - it use to be 24miles roundtrip - I've been doing this for 5 years now and have only had 1 incident - a group of teenage kids were blocking the path, just standing and talking. They all saw me coming and didn't act like they were going to move - i hopped off the bike pushed speedial to a friend on my phone and started talking to her as I walked towards the group - I told her i was out riding and "where" in a rather loud voice as i approached them - they all moved quickly away.......so maybe in retrospect the phone is a good tool also.

Don't quit riding - once you get comfortable it will change your whole life ! I can't imagine not living the cycling life )

beaterbike

Yep. Spot on. I have had a few close calls with mainly animals and one creepy person in all my adult life of riding my bike. That being said, I carry a 16" collapsible baton to keep nasty big dogs at bay. I have been trained to use it correctly by my brother, who is a cop. It is legal to carry where I live and it is easy to carry on your person. I hope to never have the opportunity to use it.

DVC45

Zombies! Watch out for Zombies!

Bike Gremlin

Male here. The problems I hear from female friends and my girlfriend are make up, hair style etc. This keeps most of them off during winter and rain, but they have no problems commuting during nice weather.


As far as safety goes: if your streets are not safe, choose safer streets, or move. Relying on self defense (martial arts, or weapons) for safety is like relying on air bag for safety when driving, instead of using brakes, steering wheel etc. What I mean is self defense is a last ditch tool. If you believe you are likely to come in a situation to use it, it might be wise to change location, lifestyle whatever. Either that or train self defense and be at peace with the fact that you will likely get assaulted. Just my 2c.


One more thing: **** usually happens from someone you know. That is where you should look out for. A complete stranger is the least likely scenario to attack to **** you. At least as far as I know, in my city. 99% of women knew the attacker. **** is usually avoidable if you listen to your intuition and avoid situations when it becomes suspicious.

Robberies are another thing. They usually take money, perhaps hit you, but very, very seldom do women (in my city) get injured so their health, or looks are harmed. They do get scared, emotionally injured, which is also very bad, but can be overcome.


Good advice here:
https://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/

Why is the word r a p e censored?!

jaxgtr

wow a 7 yrs old thread from the dead.....:LOL:

Daniel4

So If anybody is discussing bicycle commuting and someone says she doesn’t because she has a concern about safety and harassment is anybody really going to get into an argument with her why she has to bike anyways? I’m not.