Bike Hijackings on the Rise

[6zfshdb]

As a non-American I always find these tales of self defencive weaponary part baffling, part horrifying. For me, it would be inconceivable to ride packing a gun, blade or mace. (You hearing me, European members?)

Seriously, I love the states. Love, love, love. I've road tripped it several times, yes including big cities, spent a month last year living in rural VT, even visited New Haven and never ever felt unsafe or threatened, but maybe just got lucky. Has poverty, wealth equality, endemic racism or whatever root cause gotten so bad that members here routinely fear for their safety?

As the OP, I should add that I ride trails extensively all over the northeastern US. Of the two hundred or so I've tried, only a relative few are what I would call a safety risk. A very low percentage to be sure. Before riding any new trail, I always do a bit of research first. There are several internet sites out there such as Traillink.com, that post user reviews. Any negative rider experiences are usually posted and I tend to avoid these places.

The real danger is having a negative experience on a trail you've ridden many times before without incident. Such is the case I described above. Virtually all the places I've felt threatened in the past have been near poor or run down neighborhoods in urban areas. The thing that alarmed me the most is the Carpendale Trail is definitely not in such an area. It's sad that I have to add this otherwise peaceful & scenic spot to my "avoid" list.

 

[Alaskan]

As a non-American I always find these tales of self defencive weaponary part baffling, part horrifying. For me, it would be inconceivable to ride packing a gun, blade or mace. (You hearing me, European members?)

Seriously, I love the states. Love, love, love. I've road tripped it several times, yes including big cities, spent a month last year living in rural VT, even visited New Haven and never ever felt unsafe or threatened, but maybe just got lucky. Has poverty, wealth equality, endemic racism or whatever root cause gotten so bad that members here routinely fear for their safety?

Please let's not go there.

You are opening a can of worms in a corner of the world that heretofore has been a haven from the divisive politics of our country.

Perhaps it is time for the moderator to delete this whole thread before it devolves into something really unpleasant.

 

[sc00ter]

As I said, I've always carried mace or pepper spray when I ride. Dogs when on a road bike and you fall while trying to un-clip from the pedals or fall in a ditch. Or dogs when riding thru a neighborhood with kids. Now its just a habit. And with people getting dumber than dogs I'm glad its a habit to carry mace or pepper spray.

 

[pmcdonald]

Please let's not go there.

You are opening a can of worms in a corner of the world that heretofore has been a haven from the divisive politics of our country.

Perhaps it is time for the moderator to delete this whole thread before it devolves into something really unpleasant.

Fair call and duly avoided henceforth. I have noticed there are a LOT more off leash dogs in the States than here in Australia. That must keep your animal inspectors busy! Off leash dogs here are typically limited to designated parks or off leash areas - certainly not trails and national parks.

 

[Alaskan]

Fair call and duly avoided henceforth. I have noticed there are a LOT more off leash dogs in the States than here in Australia. That must keep your animal inspectors busy! Off leash dogs here are typically limited to designated parks or off leash areas - certainly not trails and national parks.

Off leash dogs, that could be an appropriate euphemism for all manner of malefactors. I might even match that description from time to time.

 

[pmcdonald]

I was stunned the first few times to see dog after dog come bounding past while walking some little sections of the Appalachian Trial last visit. The prevailing belief here is that national parks are refuges for what endemic fauna remains (they already face enough competition from feral predators, poor things). I guess in your ecosystems you've already got established apex predators for the wildlife to contend with so what's a few more dogs (in the literal sense)?

 

[sc00ter]

Not all dogs are bad but I don't care to take any chances. Of course I don't panic near a dog park, and I got one right down the street. Have even helped look for escape artist dogs! Some national parks will actually encourage "bear mace" being carried, something I have yet to see for myself! I ride in my surrounding neighborhood. It has the nickname of Shoot Park instead of Shoop Park and the Military Circle mall goes by Cemetery Circle mall! My riding is much more exciting than a park with animals. I just stay aware and stay moving at night.

 

[reed scott]

Here is a truly lovely video of a man and his dog riding and running and having a wonderful time. It is very well done and quite entertaining. Truly. The dog evidently has the smarts and or experience not to dart in front of his riding human friend. But I think this is the exception rather than the rule. My dog is pretty good at running along. But bad things can happen in an instant. Years ago my Ridgeback sideswiped me in a dog park and destroyed my collarbone. While on my feet. I mean I WAS on my feet until he helped me do an airborne 360. Actually I guess it was just a 180.

I've been riding two wheeled vehicles of all kinds most of my 70 years. I've seen it all and done it all. OK, most of it. Dogs are sensible creatures. A full sized bicycle frame pump simply brandished is usually enough to discourage adventurous pups. Not those little stubby ones.