I'm simply trying to plan how I should handle these situations before they occur.
Now THAT is the question!
As others have said, theft or robbery are not lawful justifications for the use of lethal force. (Anywhere except TX ... and the crowd says
...) If you assault someone with a deadly weapon and/or kill them, the only way a DA or jury can set aside the guilt for that death is to find that you were FORCED to take that action in order to save your life, save the life of another, prevent grievous injury, or one or two other forcible felonies like rape or arson of an occupied structure. You will have to show that you had a reasonable belief that the person you assaulted or killed had the means and the opportunity to do you this terrible harm, and was going to RIGHT THAT MOMENT.
As lousy as it is, someone (only) stealing your bicycle -- even if they knock you down in the process -- isn't threatening your life. And, further, once they've knocked you down and stolen your bike and are riding away, there is no further threat to your life, so your 'justification' for shooting and/or killing them does not exist. That would be murder, and yes, you would likely be convicted of it! (Even if not, you'll spend
years and every penny you've ever had in defending yourself in court.)
So, back to your new question... what should you do?
This branches into a conversation for our "
Strategy, Tactics, and Training" forum, but in short -- use your brain to avoid these situations rather than try to react to them in the moment.
1) Plan your route to avoid any known trouble spots. Go out of your way to NOT ride through the areas these things commonly happen. That's a pain. Oh well -- so what? You may indeed DIE one day if you don't take steps to avoid at least the areas where you know trouble often occurs.
2) Look FAR ahead -- at the environment. Think about what is appearing in your view at least 10-20 seconds ahead of where you are now. Look for the ambush points. If you keep going that way will you have to cross in front of a blind alley? Is there some pinch point coming up where you'll have to slow down to negotiate some area? Is the route you're taking going to make you pass between or beside large parked vehicles that could be shielding someone looking to jump a victim? Where will you be most vulnerable?
3) Look FAR ahead -- at people. Look for suspicious people and just "people" in general. Avoid them. You do no good to ever ride your bike very close to pedestrians anyway (even someone meaning no harm can run into you, bump you, distract you, etc.), so plan ahead to pass beyond the reach of someone (and certainly a GROUP of someones) loitering on the sidewalk or corner -- in fact stay outside the distance you think they could cover at a RUN. As you do approach an occupied location, watch far ahead for suspicious movements and repositioning.
4) Know the area as well as possible. If you can, be familiar with alternate routes and other usable streets along your paths. Know which routes are broad and accommodating, with few pinch points. Know which paths narrow down dangerously, or end in dead-ends. Know what areas are pretty well-traveled, with lots of witnesses, and which are less occupied and shielded from view...don't go there.
5) Always be ready to change direction and route. Don't second-guess 'silly' little warnings your eyes give you. Expect that you'll overreact and turn away 'needlessly' 99 times out of 100, but that 100th time you'll save your bike, injuries, and/or your life.
