I trust to common sense and being faster in traffic than most cars. I don't have the temperament to carry a gun and think it's more likely to get you into trouble than out of it. Gas can blow back in your face...knives are illegal at any usable length in my area, and I don't see how or where you'd safely carry it. I've had a few incidents...the worst was an attempted smash and grab. That kid got a ubolt to the face thrown at high speed. The others I was able to ride away safely.

My personal view is that the odds of needing a gun are pretty low, especially outside of rougher city neighborhoods, and that most of the folks who carry guns have fantasies about John Wayne.