Philadelphia - pepper spray?
 

Does anyone know where to get it? I can't find it anywhere. Also, it's apparently illegal to buy online, so I'd rather not try. I had to go car-free for a while and often have to ride through some pretty rough areas, and I really would feel much better if I had some protection in the off-chance I had to defend myself.

Thanks.

Personally, I wouldn't touch the stuff, for several reasons:
1. You never know which way the wind will blow when you discharge the spray- you end up blinding yourself while the bad guys take advantage of you.
2. If you hit the bad guys, you could be facing a nasty lawsuit.
3. The bad guys could take it from you and use it on you.
4. You'll give the bad guys ideas- I'd hate to think that a cyclist was sprayed by some punks who learned all about that from another cyclist. Way too ironic for my blood.

Where are you riding in Philly that's so bad you feel that you need this kind of protection?

It appears that pepper spray and similar non-lethal weapons (e.g. tasers) are illegal in Philadelphia. Check with the local PD on the actual restrictions.

Having gone to college in Philadelphia; and having my special nine speed (Sturmey AW w/ a Cyclo-Benelux cog) commuter stolen there, I completely understand your desire for some sort of "self defense". I lived in the East Oak Lane / Ogontz section and never ever felt completely able to let down my guard. That being said, I can only suggest that you try and mail order said pepper spray from a state where it's legal. Perhaps New Hampshire or Maine. Try Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine. Just play dumb and don't mention that it is illegal in your state.

Pepper spray is perfectly legal in PA. I have a large canister of it clipped to my frame when my wife and I do the SRT. I get mine from a local store that supplies police. The same pepper spray carried by the police can be sold to the public. I use the stream canister rather than fogs. I have used it here in this neighborhood twice. It worked once. The one it did not work on was high on coke.

Simply pointing the canister will often deter any threat.

But pepper spray can be iffy at best which is why the police in this town rarely use it and go with their Tasers.

(Interesting post from someone named "Burn My Eyes")

lol was just thinking that too...

Thanks for the replies everyone.

And every time I get on a bike I could get hit by a car, but the funny thing is, I do it every day.

I read the law and it doesn't look like pepper spray is illegal (stun guns are, and so are pocket knives - with a 90 day prison sentence :eek:).

It looks like there is one such store in center city on Chestnut. Maybe I'll swing by sometime. If anyone knows another place, I am open to suggestions and shopping around.

What happened the other time (end result)?

:) I noticed that when I posted. Purely coincidental. I chose the name because it's the debut album from one of my favorite bands.

Check out the gun shops. I would try Locks Gun Shop on Frankford. If your concerned about it a license to carry in Pennsylvania is easy to get as long as you are not a bad guy.

The other time the guy could not see very well. It did not put him on the ground totally incapacitated. Blurry vision and painful eyes. Enough time to back well away and leave the area.

I managed to find some at I. Goldberg Army & Navy store in center city, at 13th and Chestnut.

I have found pepper spray being sold in a couple of the suburban running shoe specialty stores. I don't know about the center city stores or the large chain sporting goods store.
I've also seen it being sold in suburban gun stores and at the one gun show I've been to at the Valley Forge Convention Center. In comparison to the other items at the gun show pepper spray was the least lethal.

Gun shops, Cabelas, hardware store in Slatington here.

In my experience, if you're moving quickly enough you aren't worth the trouble. Anytime I found myself in a rough area of Philly, I just stepped up the pace. The only time I ever could have used some form of protection the assailant's gun wasn't loaded anyway. Of course that may not always be the case, but I probably shouldn't have been walking around at 2 a.m.

"Where are you riding in Philly that's so bad you feel that you need this kind of protection? "

Where in Philly wouldn't you need this kind of protection?

You forget a few weeks ago someone was shot at on the trail to Valley Forge. Not that pepper spray defeats a gun.

I have purchased pepper spray *and* bear spray online.
Just google it.

what if the perv got a gun...u gonna get a gun too?

While the philly people are here, what are the good group rides to check out around Center City?

That seems curious. Is the restriction on pocket knives with blades over a certain size, or a certain kind (such as switch blades)?

here ya go! There are others too- check out Bicycle Therapy's site.

Plenty of places. Sure, there are neighborhoods that are best avoided, but for the most part, there is lots of good riding down here. You ought to try it out some time.


Um, yeah. The shooter was a cyclist, shooting at the back of one of two teenagers who threatened him- both of whom were in retreat. He got off SIX rounds, in a public place. One of those bullets could have hit an innocent bystander or three. A clear case of road rage, if there ever was one. Not to excuse the urchins who threatened the cyclist, but the response was completely, unforgivably over the top.

Switch blades are not legal in PA. There is a maximum blade length with pocket knives in PA but I cannot remember the exact length specified in the law. I seem to recall 5 inches but I am not certain of that.

Funny, I carry a marlin spike that also has a very sharp blade. Already I've needed it twice, once too coax my chain back on sprockets, once to cut away a bungee that was too old and let go and wrapped itself around my rear gears.

look for: "bear spray" my dad who lives in NY sent me some cuz I was wondering around NH woods with 3 legged wolves looking for moose