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They can be a bunch of numbnuts in the Netherlands too. They now allow scooters on the bike paths, oh and that means the lethal motorised kind, without helmets. Not so bright if you ask me. I have never seen so many Vespas as in Amsterdam. Simple fact though is that road deaths have been on the decline since the 70's in the Netherlands. Europe in general is just geared towards cyclists. Germany is much better suited to cycling I think, even Italy is catching on to cycling as a mode of transport.

I have a retractable truncheon, thing isn't too heavy and similar size to my pump, It'll be my cycling friend in future. Thanks for all your support and advice though.

I think pepper spray would act more as a deterrent than anything else. If you hold a small can in your hand, your assailant might think a little before executing his next move. Mind you, with the CT wind, pepper spray might not be ideal. In the instance mentioned above I recommend having it Velcroed to your person not the bike, when I landed I was a good .5m away from my bike and the piece of rubbish was standing over me between me and my bike. I'm going to get me a little can, just for in case. I'll be looking for something I can carry at most times. Just needs a short burst to diffuse the situation.

Cheers all, sh*t happens. Ride safe.

Lovely. I was cycling from the CBD to Claremont via Sir Lowry Rd at 13:00 on 30 Dec 2012. Just passed the Good Hope Centre, under the overpass, three young black guys were sitting. One on the left side and the other two on the other side of the road. As I got closer to the overpass one of the guys got up and started sauntering across the road, I didn't think anything of it, when I was closer he stopped in the road and started doing a little dance, similar to when you meet someone on the pavement and neither person knows which way to pass. By the time I realised what was going on he had grabbed me and thrown me to the ground and was tugging at my backpack, an experience not dissimilar to a zombie trying to get at you. I was up in a flash and ready for a fight. Thankfully his two mates were too drugged up or weary of traffic to come to his assistance. Two cars stopped, one a taxi and they slinked off into the scenery. I was very very lucky, this time. No weapons were visible and it appeared to me to be nothing but an opportunistic attack. Things could have easily gone another way though. A thanks must be said to the two motorists that stopped, one a minicab who escorted me a little bit of the way out of the hot zone. Some expletives using the K word were used, I'm not proud of that, but stuff it, I was fkn livid, fkn zombies. Apart from some scrapes and many bruises all over my body, I'm ready to fight another day. Tips: - If possible don't cycle alone, it's not worth it. I had no choice in this instance as I was commuting, not riding for pleasure. - Always wear a helmet. You're going to come off at some point. - Always wear gloves. You're going to come off at some point. - Always report a crime. - Be vigilant. - Get some pepper spray.

Figure on 45mins - 60mins including traffic and wind etc. Nice commute.

1320

Of interest, for track / roadies. http://itunes.apple.com/za/itunes-u/science-behind-bike-for-ipod/id540357497

This

iPhone 4 - Table View

Awesome job, well done!

Usual spot. Meet at Green Point Roundabout 21:00 As this is to promote bicycle safety and as an alternative form of transport best to punt the following: 1. Wear a helmet 2. Use reflective gear 3. Switch on the lights 4. Obey all traffic laws http://www.moonlightmass.co.za

Camissa Bicycles in Woodstock now have Tern foldups - have a look http://www.camissabi.../our-bikes.html http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yqyg9j-X0Ag/T-hTY6-3bVI/AAAAAAAAAHc/qhnHFBb1bL8/s640/2012-TN-photo-Verge-X10-fold-web.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHflBYdUWl0/T-hUFkhvJpI/AAAAAAAAAHs/L0ZDuQxreig/s640/2012-TN-photo-Joe-D24-gray-blue-web.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VQTw_VUPVG4/T-hSRKOjPYI/AAAAAAAAAHU/E62i87rREOo/s640/2012-TN-photo-Link-C7-blk-blue-web.jpg

The guy is clearly an idiot. But cycling three abreast, just to chat, is stupid.

Folders have a bad rep. I've been looking at one of these. http://www.montaguebikes.com/ Of course they are not available locally, there is a canoe shop in JHB that imports them.