Comments on: Open thread: Ask the experts http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:35:12 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Tractors http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-74082 Tractors Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:08:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-74082 <strong>Lawn Tractors Safety...</strong> Lawn tractors are probably the most powerful tool you might offer to any garden. They are the best solution for advanced landscapers.... Lawn Tractors Safety…

Lawn tractors are probably the most powerful tool you might offer to any garden. They are the best solution for advanced landscapers….

]]> By: Mike Myers http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-58555 Mike Myers Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:13:45 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-58555 Matt---- The most important thing is to stay alert and avoid being attacked, of course. If someone is after your money and bike, you have to assess just how valuable those items are to you. If you think giving someone what he wants will allow both of you to remain alive and unharmed, then that may be the best choice. However, there's no guarantee that a simple robbery won't escalate into a violent beating or worse. "Dead men tell no tales", and all that. I recommend that EVERY cyclist who is legally allowed to carry some sort of non-lethal defense product. Pepper spray is the best, IMHO. Pepper spray gives you a margin of error AND it allows you to maintain distance from the attacker. As a deputy told me---you pull the spray and tell the perp you're going to spray him, and if he persists--SPRAY HIM. Then you haul tail and call the police on your cell(or don't). People will tell you to carry batons, tasers, knives, and a bunch of other impact weapons. Those are a surefire way to get yourself hurt unless you're willing to spend a lot of time practicing. I carry a firearm AND pepper spray. If the spray doesn't work, the 9MM will. Matt—-

The most important thing is to stay alert and avoid being attacked, of course. If someone is after your money and bike, you have to assess just how valuable those items are to you. If you think giving someone what he wants will allow both of you to remain alive and unharmed, then that may be the best choice.

However, there’s no guarantee that a simple robbery won’t escalate into a violent beating or worse. “Dead men tell no tales”, and all that. I recommend that EVERY cyclist who is legally allowed to carry some sort of non-lethal defense product. Pepper spray is the best, IMHO. Pepper spray gives you a margin of error AND it allows you to maintain distance from the attacker. As a deputy told me—you pull the spray and tell the perp you’re going to spray him, and if he persists–SPRAY HIM. Then you haul tail and call the police on your cell(or don’t).

People will tell you to carry batons, tasers, knives, and a bunch of other impact weapons. Those are a surefire way to get yourself hurt unless you’re willing to spend a lot of time practicing.

I carry a firearm AND pepper spray. If the spray doesn’t work, the 9MM will.

]]> By: Richard Masoner http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-58536 Richard Masoner Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:31:13 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-58536 Hi Matt, I'm actually researching that right now and have gotten some input from police officers and self defense experts. I hope to have an article wrapped up by the end of the week. Hi Matt, I’m actually researching that right now and have gotten some input from police officers and self defense experts. I hope to have an article wrapped up by the end of the week.

]]> By: Matt http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-58535 Matt Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:17:08 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-58535 Unfortunately bikers seem to be appealing targets for thugs so I would add another request for safety and self defense info. Just this past summer in Minneapolis, which is otherwise a very commute-friendly city, one bicyclist was attacked and beaten by a group of teenagers and in a separate incident another biker was killed. This hasn't deterred me from riding but it does make me wonder what I would do if attacked. Unfortunately bikers seem to be appealing targets for thugs so I would add another request for safety and self defense info. Just this past summer in Minneapolis, which is otherwise a very commute-friendly city, one bicyclist was attacked and beaten by a group of teenagers and in a separate incident another biker was killed. This hasn’t deterred me from riding but it does make me wonder what I would do if attacked.

]]> By: Shot in Seattle » Commute by Bike http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-58393 Shot in Seattle » Commute by Bike Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:06:44 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-58393 [...] safety while cycling was one of the more common requests in my “Ask the Experts” open forum. I’ve been researching this issue and will have an article on this topic completed soon. [...] [...] safety while cycling was one of the more common requests in my “Ask the Experts” open forum. I’ve been researching this issue and will have an article on this topic completed soon. [...]

]]> By: Commuting 101: Bike Clothes For All Weather » Commute by Bike http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-55683 Commuting 101: Bike Clothes For All Weather » Commute by Bike Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:55:28 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-55683 [...] recently asked your opinion on things you’d like to see discussed and there were several requests for a post on winter [...] [...] recently asked your opinion on things you’d like to see discussed and there were several requests for a post on winter [...]

]]> By: Beeks http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-54524 Beeks Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:43:25 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-54524 I like your reviews of gear that we might not have heard of or is a little out there. The magnet light review was great. And how about an article about the difference between HID and LED lights? And the difference in light batteries? Seasonal stuff is good. Riding in the rain and snow and cold. For instance, my feet just freeze but I don't want to put any of those hot things in my shoes. The rest of me can be warm, warm, but I can't keep my feet warm. Tips? Riding in traffic ideas is always good too. And then just some encouragement to keep commuting is always good!! In my town, there aren't many of us. I like your reviews of gear that we might not have heard of or is a little out there. The magnet light review was great. And how about an article about the difference between HID and LED lights? And the difference in light batteries?

Seasonal stuff is good. Riding in the rain and snow and cold. For instance, my feet just freeze but I don’t want to put any of those hot things in my shoes. The rest of me can be warm, warm, but I can’t keep my feet warm. Tips?

Riding in traffic ideas is always good too.

And then just some encouragement to keep commuting is always good!! In my town, there aren’t many of us.

]]> By: Mindy http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-54432 Mindy Thu, 04 Oct 2007 03:00:34 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-54432 I like all the ideas about discussing weather issues and safety and equipment. I'd like there to be more general discussion about the commuter experience. I chose to sell my car and ride my bicycle nearly everywhere I go, and I'd like to know who else rides places other than work. I'd like to hear about others' best and worst commuting experiences. Being a new commuter of only 3 months, I'm interested in stories from those of you have been at this for years. I'd like to know how others deal with good-hearted naysayers, you know....the widened eyes, the concerned exclamations about how daaaangerous it is to ride a bike on the streeeeet! I want to know what your families think, and if others in your families commute. I wouldn't even mind a "how did your week go" discussion every Saturday. Mindy in Tucson I like all the ideas about discussing weather issues and safety and equipment. I’d like there to be more general discussion about the commuter experience. I chose to sell my car and ride my bicycle nearly everywhere I go, and I’d like to know who else rides places other than work. I’d like to hear about others’ best and worst commuting experiences. Being a new commuter of only 3 months, I’m interested in stories from those of you have been at this for years. I’d like to know how others deal with good-hearted naysayers, you know….the widened eyes, the concerned exclamations about how daaaangerous it is to ride a bike on the streeeeet! I want to know what your families think, and if others in your families commute. I wouldn’t even mind a “how did your week go” discussion every Saturday.

Mindy in Tucson

]]> By: Mike Myers http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-54248 Mike Myers Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:24:17 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-54248 Self-defense? For those who have concealed carry permits and a firearm which is easily carried on bicycle, it's a good idea. Anyone who goes through the licensing procedure for CCW should know when lethal force is acceptable. That being said, carrying a firearm on a bicycle is not easy, and carrying enough firearm is even more difficult. Pepper spray is awesome. I carry a can of "cop strength" pepper spray in a bike mount. I bought it from this place, which was the ONLY place I found a bike mount. http://www.defensedevices.com/2ozpocketmodel.html I highly recommend buying the practice can of spray, which is filled with water. It's a good idea to become familiar with how to use the spray, in case you have to. Pepper spray works better than stun guns---because you have the advantage of distance. Carry your cell phone, of course. But breaking out U-locks or impact weapons requires you to get too close. Spray 'em, get to a safe place, then call the police if you wish. Or don't. Self-defense? For those who have concealed carry permits and a firearm which is easily carried on bicycle, it’s a good idea. Anyone who goes through the licensing procedure for CCW should know when lethal force is acceptable. That being said, carrying a firearm on a bicycle is not easy, and carrying enough firearm is even more difficult.

Pepper spray is awesome. I carry a can of “cop strength” pepper spray in a bike mount. I bought it from this place, which was the ONLY place I found a bike mount.

http://www.defensedevices.com/2ozpocketmodel.html

I highly recommend buying the practice can of spray, which is filled with water. It’s a good idea to become familiar with how to use the spray, in case you have to. Pepper spray works better than stun guns—because you have the advantage of distance. Carry your cell phone, of course. But breaking out U-locks or impact weapons requires you to get too close. Spray ‘em, get to a safe place, then call the police if you wish. Or don’t.

]]> By: Quinn http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/comment-page-1/#comment-54242 Quinn Tue, 02 Oct 2007 21:12:32 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/10/01/open-thread-ask-the-experts/#comment-54242 Steve, a few ideas- spray/paint on bed liner on the bottom side of the down tube. Rust-proof primer, or have the frame powder-coated Price Point sells a DIY stick-on clear coat. (whole bike or patch jobs) Steve,

a few ideas-

spray/paint on bed liner on the bottom side of the down tube.
Rust-proof primer, or have the frame powder-coated
Price Point sells a DIY stick-on clear coat. (whole bike or patch jobs)

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