melonious

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?

RaleighSport

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

buzzman

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.

RaleighSport

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?

Chris516

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.

gmt13

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

-G

shawmutt

Same thing you did.

DX-MAN

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.")

AlmostTrick

Shoot 'em?

Digital_Cowboy

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.

K'Tesh

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.

sudo bike

"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.

steve0257

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.

Standalone 

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:


Bridgeport:


Don't try this at home...

Chris516

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.

rando

ignore and ride on!

leob1

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.

charly17201

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.

RaleighSport

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

dougmc

Personally, 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.

Genaro

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...

Seattle Forrest

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.

Doohickie

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.

Ratzinger

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.

DX-MAN

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.