Unfortunately some of the local paved trails that I enjoy riding I no longer feel safe on. Even though these trails are under park ranger authority, it is very rare to see a ranger on the trail. Once or twice a year I read of someone being held up at gunpoint and if they are lucky all they lose is any material items and the bicycle is taken. All of these trails prohibit honest citizens from carrying a gun, but criminals never obey laws. Since 95% of the time I ride by myself. What are others doing for their safety? By safety I mean from the criminal element that is everywhere today. I carry pepper spray, remove any jewelry that would show, and ride during normal daylight hours. Does anyone carry a stun gun?

Used to live in Parkton MD (think Hereford) and sure miss the many rail trails in MD and just up the road in PA. Some good friends still reside in the area. All carry pepper spray. But the way I hear things have been headed, if I were still there, I might be carrying something stronger. Won't violate the rules, but let's just say it wouldn't be stun.

If only there were a forum for safety-related issues. Alas.

Real hard to discuss this without bringing up politics. I don't ride in gun free zones.

I've got a few spots in my area that are known sketchy zones. But, anytime I ride, generally speaking I:

• Go with others, whenever possible.
• Don't go in such zones at "witching" hours (times known in the area where certain spots are riskiest)
• Select the safer alternative areas, routes and times, if there is a choice
• Don't ever, ever, go unarmed (multiply armed, ideally) -- and, by armed I mean having sufficient tools with me and being knowledgeable and capable enough to deploy in any situation necessary

That said, not even being in a small group will keep certain sorts away. And no tool is a talisman that effectively wards off evil. Plus, one needs to train regularly in order to effectively defend against determined assailants.

Of course, if anything's true it's that there are no guarantees in this life. Even in ostensibly good areas.

So. We're left with the world being what it is. You rolls the dice and takes your chances. Being as aware, trained, capable and prepared as possible, within the choices you make. About as good as it gets.

Could be worse.

The rule I have always followed in life, is that bad people never get up early in the morning. Go out early in the morning, and I guarantee you will not run into groups of miscreants. And it's always groups that are the most dangerous.

Shsme you’ll never ride something like Going to the Sun.

I disagree that crime is down, in fact it is at it's highest ever and getting worse. The problem is that political correctness is preventing news media from telling the real truth of what is happening out there. I would say that we are very close to total anarchy since criminals are not really getting punished for their acts....My own personal experience, I was almost jumped twice within the last two months, at the same location which I have been riding for the past 16 years.... Yes first time in 16 years, a gravel trail system in an area that I have ridden through hundreds of times. Happened at 5:30 in the morning when it was totally dark, had to turn my lights off so they would loose track of me and give up the chase.. Believe whatever you want.

I used to believe that but not anymore. I was totally shocked when it almost happened to me at 5:30 in the morning.

Federal law is clear about national parks and concealed carry. You must comply with state law where the park is located. Montana is a constitutional carry state. Washington is a permit to carry state, not an issue for me.

The directive that the NM gov recently ruled was thrown out as a direct violation of the second, at least in parks, upheld on playgrounds. Springer v Grisham et.al.

Gun laws is an ever changing sea where one must be ever informed.

I don't carry anymore. I still refuse to shop or eat in gun free zones.

Too much gun talk.

Thread closed.