Cycling and Self defence

[covie]

Yeah this has been discussed to the point of boredom by now, even though we would all like to defend ourselves, you will seldom have the means or the opportunity.

 

The only way to make this safe is A to make sure they can't sell the stolen merchandice, (also discussed to death) and B to have aremed patrols to around to deter this type of thing, not a easy feat, how do you patrol a 20-80km patch of land, etc etc.

 

Its a case of realizing just keep on doing what your doing forget about the criminals and enjoy the sport. Most of us are just as vulnerable in our houses and our cars with all the break ins, and carjackings, yet we dont post on how to stop those crimes. Reason being we can't the cops cant and the goverment can't. Same applies here, even though we all have the best intentions and want to make SA a safer place, the law prhobits us to defend ourselves, hence we can only hope and trust the COPS start giving a crap at some stage and they do their work.

[urbanroyal]

Ya but surely there has to be some sort of action that the public can take to make the government aware that enough is enough...!!!

 

Make the rest of the world aware of the current sitution etc...

 

We can can have demonstrations etc, I mean if the economic power is still in the hands of the minority then surely they can put it to good use..??

 

Or am I just being naive again...lol

[An3]

Here is my tip. (Unfortunately based on experience...)

Keep whatever "weapon" you choose on your person.

 

I was separated from my bike when I was hit in the face with a pole.

It was only a couple of seconds before the four attackers were on top of me.

 

Practice drawing your "weapon" with your eyes closed - there may not be a lot of time for you to use it.

 

.... better yet.

• Do not Cycle alone
  
• Avoid dangerous areas
  
• Do not even think of doing the above after dark.
  

[koukie]

I never go anywhere without my gun thesedays. Its like taking my cellphone with me. It small enough to just go into your pants pocket.

 

The people that say you will not be able to use it or you will be already dead by the time you use it, that is just stupid. If there is not time to use a gun then nothing else will work anyway.

 

Google north amrican arms .22 magnum.

Edited November 13, 2010 by koukie

[The_Break]

one cup of perfect coffee just expelled through my nose onto laptop, my IT department thanks you!

 

I prefer putting the spray in my back pocket. Normally when someone takes youu off your bike or orders you off the bike the spray is out of reach. At least with it in youur pocket it stays with you and you have a chance to get it out, even if the guy wields a knife and you tell him he canhave your money as youu reach for it.

 

Not much you can do with a gun. But here is an interesting alternative just for life in general. Take up Aikido or another Martial Art that is focused on defending against and disarming armed assailants. Takes a good few years to get anywhere, but it is a life skill that could save yor life one day.

[HaydenWilson]

I keep pepper spray about my person. however most of the mugging type situations i have been in the guys are only interested in the objects of value about your person. ie watch, bicycle, cell phones, wallet, jewelry etc. i have never been mugged on a bike but i have on many occasions when rock climbing. (Tied to cliff face! no way i can run without dropping climbing partner! sucked!) mostly if you do not have objects of value they grumble and leave you alone. One thing that you need to remember is that muggers are also terrified at the time of the mugging and so things can get really nasty very quickly. once 9 of us got mugged while climbing one of our number tried to defend himself and the guys all pulled out guns and held them to our heads. fortunately the guy that tried to defend himself managed to break the muggers grip and run away before he got shot! they then took our cell phones and wallets and waltzed off. So yeah. no objects of value is tthe moral of the story i guess. I now only carry ancient cell phones as i do not mind if they are removed. which is seldom. mostly muggers laugh.