The sidewalk is over there!

[Certifried]

The scary thing is, I actually have pepper spray on my bike at all times. It has about a 4″ wide velcro sleeve that wraps around my top tube right in front of my seat post (where I chose to put it, can go anywhere) then the little bottle of pepper spray has another tightly wrapped sleeve with the other side of the velcro (it’s really stuck on well). Ostensibly, it’s for dogs. I’ve only had to actually brandish it once when some hooligan kids were on my lawn…er I mean screwing around in the bike path and trying to cause mayhem. They clearly saw the little black bottle with the bright red cap and quickly figured out what was fixin’ to happen. They apologized and scampered off under the rug.

[bluerider]

@Certifried 27759 wrote:

The scary thing is, I actually have pepper spray on my bike at all times. It has about a 4″ wide velcro sleeve that wraps around my top tube right in front of my seat post (where I chose to put it, can go anywhere) then the little bottle of pepper spray has another tightly wrapped sleeve with the other side of the velcro (it’s really stuck on well). Ostensibly, it’s for dogs. I’ve only had to actually brandish it once when some hooligan kids were on my lawn…er I mean screwing around in the bike path and trying to cause mayhem. They clearly saw the little black bottle with the bright red cap and quickly figured out what was fixin’ to happen. They apologized and scampered off under the rug.

Where I come from, most cyclists I know carry guns. They are much more hostile to cyclists in other parts of the country.

[KLizotte]

@Certifried 27759 wrote:

The scary thing is, I actually have pepper spray on my bike at all times. It has about a 4″ wide velcro sleeve that wraps around my top tube right in front of my seat post (where I chose to put it, can go anywhere) then the little bottle of pepper spray has another tightly wrapped sleeve with the other side of the velcro (it’s really stuck on well). Ostensibly, it’s for dogs. I’ve only had to actually brandish it once when some hooligan kids were on my lawn…er I mean screwing around in the bike path and trying to cause mayhem. They clearly saw the little black bottle with the bright red cap and quickly figured out what was fixin’ to happen. They apologized and scampered off under the rug.

I think if you biked around looking like your avatar you would easily scare everyone away!

[Certifried]

@KLizotte 27764 wrote:

I think if you biked around looking like your avatar you would easily scare everyone away!

I wish I looked as good as him! Such a devilishly handsome clown he is.

[bluerider]

@Certifried 27766 wrote:

I wish I looked as good as him! Such a devilishly handsome clown he is.

Is that hair what they call “business in the front, party in the back”

[Jason]

@Certifried 27759 wrote:

The scary thing is, I actually have pepper spray on my bike at all times. It has about a 4″ wide velcro sleeve that wraps around my top tube right in front of my seat post (where I chose to put it, can go anywhere) then the little bottle of pepper spray has another tightly wrapped sleeve with the other side of the velcro (it’s really stuck on well). Ostensibly, it’s for dogs. I’ve only had to actually brandish it once when some hooligan kids were on my lawn…er I mean screwing around in the bike path and trying to cause mayhem. They clearly saw the little black bottle with the bright red cap and quickly figured out what was fixin’ to happen. They apologized and scampered off under the rug.

Good sir, could you post a pic of your OC rig. Sounds good. I tried to figure out how to carry OC in an easy to get to place on me when I ride, but in the summer I can’t figure out a good place. I already carry a spyderco knife tucked into my gym shorts when I ride in. I am sure its for bike repairs though.

[GuyContinental]

@Certifried 27759 wrote:

The scary thing is, I actually have pepper spray on my bike at all times. It has about a 4″ wide velcro sleeve that wraps around my top tube right in front of my seat post (where I chose to put it, can go anywhere) then the little bottle of pepper spray has another tightly wrapped sleeve with the other side of the velcro (it’s really stuck on well). Ostensibly, it’s for dogs. I’ve only had to actually brandish it once when some hooligan kids were on my lawn…er I mean screwing around in the bike path and trying to cause mayhem. They clearly saw the little black bottle with the bright red cap and quickly figured out what was fixin’ to happen. They apologized and scampered off under the rug.

What I want to know is if you can use your spray as an air cartridge for flats- no unitaskers on my bike!…

…oh wait that’s a horrible idea…

[creadinger]

@bluerider 27760 wrote:

Where I come from, most cyclists I know carry guns. They are much more hostile to cyclists in other parts of the country.

And where is it you come from so I can avoid said place because I don’t want to carry weapons on my bike and would prefer to wait until all of the idiots who live there die out due to a tiny gene pool.

After reading many many tour journals of people traveling all over the world on sites such as crazyguyonabike.com I think that this area is an isolated pocket of hostility and can be easily avoided.

[Certifried]

@Jason 27793 wrote:

Good sir, could you post a pic of your OC rig. Sounds good. I tried to figure out how to carry OC in an easy to get to place on me when I ride, but in the summer I can’t figure out a good place. I already carry a spyderco knife tucked into my gym shorts when I ride in. I am sure its for bike repairs though.

Let me just say, firstly, that I truly believe that “escalation” of an incident can never turn out well. I do carry OC pepper spray, this is for dogs primarily, as I’ve been chased before. I also mentored in a program (the now defunct cycle across Maryland teen challenge program) where I made close friends with cyclist-mentors from other county programs, one of those counties lost a mentor when a dog ran out in her path. She had a helmet, unfortunately she hit the curb right under the back of the helmet and it killed her. I also have OC because some areas, as we all know, can be dangerous at night. So it’s for reasonable precaution against apprehended danger as well. Pepper spray is only illegal in Montgomery County (the county I live in) if it is used in the commission of a crime, so it’s like an aggravating factor to a crime. I encourage you to learn the laws in your specific state/district, county, and city as it does vary considerably. Of course, if you’re in VA, you can carry a nuke and be OK, so pepper spray is probably OK.

Having said all that, here is the pepper spray I purchased off Amazon:
http://www.sabrered.com/servlet/the-111/CYCLIST-Self-dsh-Defense-Pepper-Spray/Detail

here’s a pic of my bike (amidst having a rear flat changed LAWLolololler). You can barely see the pepper spray right in front of my seat post on the top tube. When I’m riding, you can barely even see it, you have to specifically look for it and know what it is. I think that’s important, I don’t want to ride around looking like I’m looking for trouble. It’s also quickly accessible if there’s an issue where I need to get at it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1510[/ATTACH]

CR-401 wrote:

§ 4-101. Dangerous weapons.

(a) Definitions.-

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) “Nunchaku” means a device constructed of two pieces of any substance, including wood, metal, or plastic, connected by any chain, rope, leather, or other flexible material not exceeding 24 inches in length.

(3) (i) “Pepper mace” means an aerosol propelled combination of highly disabling irritant pepper-based products.

(ii) “Pepper mace” is also known as oleoresin capsicum (o.c.) spray.

(4) “Star knife” means a device used as a throwing weapon, consisting of several sharp or pointed blades arrayed as radially disposed arms about a central disk.

(5) (i) “Weapon” includes a dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade knife, star knife, sandclub, metal knuckles, razor, and nunchaku.

(ii) “Weapon” does not include:

1. a handgun; or

2. a penknife without a switchblade.

(b) Exceptions for certain individuals.- This section does not prohibit the following individuals from carrying a weapon:

(1) an officer of the State, or of any county or municipal corporation of the State, who is entitled or required to carry the weapon as part of the officer’s official equipment, or by any conservator of the peace, who is entitled or required to carry the weapon as part of the conservator’s official equipment, or by any officer or conservator of the peace of another state who is temporarily in this State;

(2) a special agent of a railroad;

(3) a holder of a permit to carry a handgun issued under Title 5, Subtitle 3 of the Public Safety Article; or

(4) an individual who carries the weapon as a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger, subject to the right of the court in an action arising under this section to judge the reasonableness of the carrying of the weapon, and the proper occasion for carrying it, under the evidence in the case.

(c) Prohibited.-

(1) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon of any kind concealed on or about the person.

(2) A person may not wear or carry a dangerous weapon, chemical mace, pepper mace, or a tear gas device openly with the intent or purpose of injuring an individual in an unlawful manner.

(3) (i) This paragraph applies in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Caroline County, Cecil County, Harford County, Kent County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, St. Mary’s County, Talbot County, Washington County, and Worcester County.

(ii) A minor may not carry a dangerous weapon between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise, whether concealed or not, except while:

1. on a bona fide hunting trip; or

2. engaged in or on the way to or returning from a bona fide trap shoot, sport shooting event, or any organized civic or military activity.

(d) Penalties.-

(1) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

(2) For a person convicted under subsection (c)(1) or (2) of this section, if it appears from the evidence that the weapon was carried, concealed or openly, with the deliberate purpose of injuring or killing another, the court shall impose the highest sentence of imprisonment prescribed.

[An. Code 1957, art. 27, § 36; 2002, ch. 26, § 2; ch. 213, § 6; ch. 571, § 1; 2003, ch. 17; ch. 21, § 1.]

[Jason]

Hey now worries on the statutes, I graduated law school, have had a concealed carry permit since I was 21 (over 15 years), have taken over 300 hours of concealed carry pistol training over the years from some of the best, taken OC classes, and defensive knife classes as well. I like OC because on the use of force continuum its actually lower than hitting somebody, and only just above verbal. IE, according to most police agencies, OC spray is less potentially conducive to bodily harm than touching. Also, OC is more likely to be seen by a Jury (or even a DA) as purely defensive, while hitting can be either. So legally, you are better off OC spraying somebody rather than hitting them. I know on my ride that both a 3″ knife and OC are legal both in DC as well as VA.

aaanyway, yes I like that mounting location, its nearly impossible to see. Buuut, I hate those swing top OC canisters. I much more prefer the flip top type, much more usable in a situation (trust me). Sabre is a good brand though, its usually what I have on me.

Not so worried about dogs as people. Where I ride human assholes are more prevalant than angry dogs. I got in a few fights with dogs, both times I punched them/kicked them and they backed off fast. Both times I was on foot, although one of the times I was standing on a sheet of ice. These were both german shepherds though, not sure how a pit or rottwieler would behave. OC is definately dual purpose!

[Terpfan]

@creadinger 27799 wrote:

And where is it you come from so I can avoid said place because I don’t want to carry weapons on my bike and would prefer to wait until all of the idiots who live there die out due to a tiny gene pool.

After reading many many tour journals of people traveling all over the world on sites such as crazyguyonabike.com I think that this area is an isolated pocket of hostility and can be easily avoided.

I own a firearm, but I couldn’t imagine carrying it on a bike bar being on some really long ride in the middle of a desserted national forest. Although thinking about it, I do worry that idiots like the guy who threatened to fight me over a dispute about him calling or not calling his pass would use force if they had more available to them. It’s a tricky world we live in.

[bluerider]

@creadinger 27799 wrote:

And where is it you come from so I can avoid said place because I don’t want to carry weapons on my bike and would prefer to wait until all of the idiots who live there die out due to a tiny gene pool.

After reading many many tour journals of people traveling all over the world on sites such as crazyguyonabike.com I think that this area is an isolated pocket of hostility and can be easily avoided.

I am originally from Oklahoma, a state I am sadly embarrassed by often. It is one of the most hostile places towards cyclists on streets. I have witnessed a motorist attempt to run down a cyclist after a verbal incident. The cyclist had a gun and used it to defend himself. The motorist was gravely wounded and didnt survive. The cyclist was determined to be within has rights and was not charged. Unfortunately, they fill the gene pool with small minded pinheads every day. I hope that I am the exception to the rule. It’s a big reason I left and have never returned.

[jabberwocky]

@bluerider 27851 wrote:

I have witnessed a motorist attempt to run down a cyclist after a verbal incident. The cyclist had a gun and used it to defend himself. The motorist was gravely wounded and didnt survive. The cyclist was determined to be within has rights and was not charged.

Thats both sad and incredibly awesome.

[bluerider]

@jabberwocky 27853 wrote:

Thats both sad and incredibly awesome.

Yeah, I have mixed emotions about it years later. Maybe its a character flaw but sadness is not one of them. The motorist made his choice and created the situation that got him killed. The cyclist, my friend, was actually ready for what happened after we watched the actions by the motorist leading up to the shooting. At the same time, awesome is not a feeling I have either. It was not something I want to be a part of again. It should be noted that the laws governing the use of deadly force in Oklahoma are very liberal. It even extends to protecting personal property. In many ways, its a ridiculous place. I guess my feeling about it is more of a loathing of the society we live in where no one takes responsibility for what they do, their general inability think of other people, and no one ever thinks laws apply to them. Since I have lived here I have watched MPD ignore the safety to cyclist and pedestrians that almost get run over right in front on MPD officers. That being said, there are a number of cyclists that could do things better as well. However, if MPD can’t or won’t enforce laws that make the system work it just encourages incidents and violence. I know there are some cyclists that are getting feed up with MPD’s lack of concern or caring for enforcing laws on pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists in a consistent manner. I just feel like the cycling community is heading for a similar incident in this city at some point without good law enforcement and leadership.

[jabberwocky]

@bluerider 27864 wrote:

Yeah, I have mixed emotions about it years later…

I think its sad because its never a good thing when deadly force has to be used, but its awesome because the police recognized that a car can be used as a lethal weapon (deadly force in self defense is only acceptable if a reasonable person would feel their life is in danger).

I know a few people who carry while commuting, even in this area. Given some of the run-ins I’ve had with motorists over the years, I’m not sure I’d even call it overreacting.

[Author]

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