Comments on: Commuter Self-Defense…For Real This Time

By: BillyName99

BillyName99 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:41:45 +0000

Use a heavy Chain and Padlock combo for securing the bike when parked.
Keep this in a bar -mounted pouch and leave the pouch open so you can reach it.
When attacked, reach in, grab the chain and beat your assailant without mercy.

A heavy padlock is an excellent bludgeon, and it will either make them give up or keep them at bay until you can get away.

My $ 0.02

By: MatthewInDenver

MatthewInDenver — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:16:12 +0000

Two ideas:
1) A bike commuter likely has a hefty U-lock on his or her person. Unless your assailant has a gun, that would probably take care of them.
2) Krav Maga. Take it. That way you’ll know how to handle yourself in any threatening situation. It doesn’t take “years of training” – and it is exclusively geared toward handling real-life situations.

By: Hippie Brian

Hippie Brian — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:09:34 +0000

Try to ride away. If you can’t, just like the dude in the article did, give up the bike. It’s just not worth it. Get your bike registered, if you want some chance of getting it back one day.

By: Jake

Jake — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:47:11 +0000

@Abhishek: The major problem with any weapon (especially one like a katana) is learning to use it correctly so that you’re more of a danger to your opponent than to your self. People who think they can cut something successfully the first time with a katana have almost never held a real one. The POS ones you see on Home Shopping Network are just that. (need proof? http://failblog.org/2008/09/02/samurai-fail/ ) Also there are deployment issues when on a bike and having to wield a weapon.

One of the most important things to realize is the rapid escalation issue. Keep this in mind: who’s the aggressor if all they do is try to swipe your bike, and you cut off their arm, leg, stab them once or twice? They may have been trying to steal your property, but they could quite easily turn around and sue you for assault with a deadly weapon as well as assault with intent to kill. It’s hard to prove a self defense case where your attacked (especially when they have no weapon) and you maim them severely. Additionally I’ll point out what many have said before: it’s only stuff. Avoidance is best. Fighting of any kind should *always* be your last resort. Better to just run/ride away. It’s not worth having a more dedicated fighter over power you while you try to deploy a weapon your home made holster only to have it not deploy correctly and then be in a much worse situation.

Also, if you attempt to attack with *any* weapon, and you don’t immediately incapacitate your opponent, that may send a message that you want to “play” with them. Trust me, that’s not a situation that you want to be in at all.

While many people suggest U locks and other normal bike accouterments, one of the most dangerous things you can bring with you (that many bikes will allow you to take with you easily to boot) is a broken spoke. It can be sharp. It can be used as a shiv… but as I said before: fighting is *absolutely* the last option. Ovid the situation first, Run/Ride away second. Scream third (“Fire!” works well, as people tend to look, as opposed to “Help!” which usually makes people turn away).

If you want to train to fight with weapons, find a school that teaches them, or ask your local police for a recommendation for a quality knife self defense course. DO NOT think that you won’t get hurt if you have a knife. Knives are *the* most dangerous weapon you can face, simply because they can easily be turned against you.

By: Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:17:23 +0000

+1 for what Raiyn said…because everyone knows that a thug can a) spot a particular brand or style of bike from 200 yds in the dark and b) wouldn’t dream of jacking a fixie because it takes the skills of a superhuman to ride one.

What’s the html tag for sarcasm?

By: Raiyn

Raiyn — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:31:35 +0000

I’m surprised it took this long for someone to chime in with “ride a fixie.”
I never tire of people spewing their misguided belief that absolutely nobody (except an emo in girl jeans and a hoodie) knows how to ride one so therefore nobody will ever succeed in stealing a fixed geared bike. Fact is, most of the stolen bikes around here (that aren’t tossed in a truck or van) are pulled along side the thief who’s riding another bike. No extra skills needed.

By: SHARK WEEK

SHARK WEEK — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:00:35 +0000

Ride a fixie, the thugs might not know how to ride one.
On a more realistic note, having alternating routes so you are not expected. Thieves could be planing the heist for awhile.

By: Chip Haynes

Chip Haynes — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:02:55 +0000

Loose people worry me more than loose dogs. Do NOT let them get close. (Either one.) I would tell people if they feel uneasy, to carry HALT! dog repellent, and know that it does work on humans as well. Why HALT!? Because you can tell the officer you weren’t looking for trouble, and dog repellent was all you had to defend yourself. The bottom line: Don’t let people get close. Period.

In the orignal story on this thread, the rider’s initial mistake was in riding too close to the van.

Be careful, be wary and trust no one.

Be the rabbit.

By: 1SG Bob

1SG Bob — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:42:51 +0000

Some great advice here. I’d add a real good warrior yell to the mix. Nothing confuses people more than a loud noise. It could buy you the one second to start the sprint.

By: Abhishek

Abhishek — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:16:28 +0000

My idea of a Katana holder (http://www.sheksfootprint.com/archives/164) starts to sound better by the day.