Best weapon for bike riding.

[V4Vendetta]

I was riding my bike recently to the local hotdog place for supper. On my way back to my store, I saw a large dog chained up that started barking at me as I rode by. It made me wonder.

What's the best weapon for dealing with attacking dogs? I always carry a pocket knife with me but is there a better solution? I was thinking about the pepper spray that they use for bears. Is it any good? If yes, where would I get it?

I thought the knife was a bad idea unless it's a machete. I have one but I don't know how people would respond to me walking around with a 18' long blade on my waist.

I always carry a back pack with me when I bike. I think I'll be putting a club like instrument into it. I have a piece of steel that's 16 & 1/2 inches long including the handle. At the end of it the steel is in a square shape. You think that would be good?

I forgot to add that I can't get a CCL just yet.

 

[Classical Liberal]

In the 19th century they hade these funky swords disguised as walking canes. Couldn't you take apart a bike pump and do something similar with that?

 

[AH-CHANH]

I generally CCW, but in addition, I have a tactical baton (expands when swung) when riding my motorcycle. I'd prefer not to kill the dog, but after hitting it with the baton...if that doesn't work, dead dog. At least I can tell the owner that when the dog attacked I tried to fend it off with a stick, but when that didn't work, I had to shoot it because it was him or me, and no matter how much they loved that dog, it attacked me, and I was going to win.

 

[V4Vendetta]

"I generally CCW, but in addition, I have a tactical baton (expands when swung) when riding my motorcycle."


As I said I can't CCW legally just yet but the baton idea sounds good. How much do they usually cost? Where would I find a good brand?

 

[CAS700850]

When I go running, I always take a can of pepper spray for dogs. Most dogs I come across are more of an annoyance/danger than a significant threat to my life. A quick shot of pepper across the eyes sends most of them on their way if I feel my safety is at risk. Back when I did more significant biking (and the legal authority to carry at the time), I put a Smith 649 in a fanny pack holster of my design and enjoyed the ride. Later switched to a Sig 239 (9mm).

 

[V4Vendetta]

"Most dogs I come across are more of an annoyance/danger than a significant threat to my life."


That's been my experience also. But isn't the whole idea of CCW, "better to plan for the worst & hope for the best"?

 

[Vic303]

For dogs, one of your best bets while cycling, is a waterbottle filled with an ammonia and water mix. Squirt it in the dog's face & they will stop their charge. The other thing is...if th edog is going to make contact, you are generally better of getting off the bike. The movement is what irritates the dog generally, and when you dismount you look more like the human that usually yells at them. This also lets you use the bike to fend off the dog. They are more apt to obey your verbal orders. Use that Drill Sgt. voice on 'em too.

 

[mr_dove]

I'd go with the pepper spray or the baton for animal attackers. Both can be mounted on the frame of the bike if you choose and are easier and safer to deploy while moving.

The handgun is a very effective option but it comes with some difficulties. Some have a hard time finding a way to carry while on the bike. On a bike you'd probably have to stop before drawing or shooting. Trying to do so while in movement could cause an accident.

Baton's are deadly weapons in most states. You should look thier legality in your state. It could range from being illegal to own one to only being illegal if you use it against a person. Using it against a dog might be just fine.

 

[gunsmith]

I was a bike courier for too many years

both motorcycle and bicycle, in 99.9% of dog chases the dog isn't after the
person but the vehicle I have found that stopping and getting
off with the bike in between you and the dog ends the chase.
I usually say (sternly) "go home" this has never aver failed me and I have done it
thousands of times. Plus you can use you bike as a sheild/weapon against a dog if you are not on it.
I was an extremely fast rider but sometimes you cant get past the dog or if you are like me, you don't want the dumb mutt to get run over.

bear spray most camping outlets like REI and the like have it, I have used Guard brand with great success against two legged predators. The can itself works half of the time (ex cons know what it can do)

this is the stuff! I love it! be sure you don't spray in the wind!
http://www.securityandsafetysupply.com/product-self-defense/bear-spray.htm

 

[V4Vendetta]

"Baton's are deadly weapons in most states. You should look thier legality in your state. It could range from being illegal to own one to only being illegal if you use it against a person. Using it against a dog might be just fine."


WHY IS EVERYTHING ILLEGAL!!?!? .


Gunsmith, do you think that Walmart might have that bear spray?

 

[gunsmith]

they might

I wouldn't bet my life on a walmart brand pepper spray though.
like guns, you get what you pay for most of the time.

Another cool biker weapon is the master cable padlock,
It's a padlock with a (about) two and a half foot cable that
locks into the padlock , like a gun lock but the cable is much longer.
I used one to lock my helmet to my bike and to inflict damage on cars that
did not respect my authority.
No dog or person can stand the extreme pain it inflicts, the light
strikes I tested on my self were debilitating. I never used one on a person
or an animal because the spray was much more humane.
It is definetly a deadly weapon that would cause severe injury if used
with your full strength

 

[Vern Humphrey]

A long time ago, when I was stationed at Fort Benning, I lived in Cusseta, Georgia. I used to ride my bike on the back roads, and my problem was with people who would slap at me as they drove by, or throw things.

I got what was then known as a "Pistol Toter's Permit" and strapped on my .45 -- GI belt and GI holster.

I never had the problem again.

 

[Cueball]

The baton and pepper spray combination is the best bet for your situation.

 

[mr_dove]

This lock has a bit of heft but the cable on it is very long, which may be good if you want to really get it twirling.

Something like this gives you a heavy bludgeon without going overboard on the 6' long cable.

I use street-cuffs to lock up my bike but they are too short to swing as a weapon. They store nicely in my bag though.

 

[V4Vendetta]

I've decided to get both a club that I can tie to my bike frame & some pepper spray. Which brand of pepper spray is best, Bear spray Guard Alaska - BR-9 or Foxlabs?

I want something that will work on both 2 legged predators & their 4 legged bretheren.

 

[mr_dove]

Fox Labs is generally considered to be the best. That's what I'm buying.

 

[f3rr37]

you don't need to carry anything fancy when riding. A nice squirt of water to the face from a water bottle will stop a dog dead in its tracks and give you enough time to sprint away. I had 2 pitbulls chasing me down one time, and I just started cranking and sprinted away. The next time I went by the same place and a blue heeler came after my g/f and I, and I pulled out the water bottle and gave it a nice splash to the face and the dog stopped, look at the ground, looked back at me, and then started licking the water off the road.

 

[Kingcreek]

I used to do some bike touring. I put on alot of miles and I had a few run-ins with canines. I carried pepper spray. It worked sometimes and sometimes not, but I wasn't carrying Fox at that time. The only time I had to do some serious canine conflict resolution, I used a full length Zefal pump to beat a big rottweiller dizzy. It was on an upgrade and I couldn't outrun him. had to dismount and use the bike for defence while trying to get his attention with the extended pump. The pump was so distorted I couldn't put it back in the frame mount.
Some rural joggers use a short club. mine is a 26" piece of 1.25" diameter black locust- sanded smooth and drilled for a lanyard. I also carry Fox pepper spray.

 

[Ramius]

I've had quite an education on canine relations since resuming bike riding a few years ago to lower my BP.

A few observations:

Using ANYTHING that makes you look paranoid will cause you great misfortunes if you injure someone's family pet. Doesn't matter that fluffy the pit bull was trying to take off your leg at the time, if you shoot the beloved family dog, it's going to be more trouble than you ever thought possible.

Even the el-cheapo dog spray sold at most bike shops works great. Trust me on this- any dog I've used it on not only retreats, but the next time you ride by, all they need is a look at the can and you are suddenly alone.

I ride in areas where bears are common, and have seen a couple. Never needed it, but bear spray might be really handy one day. I'm also trying to figure out how to carry a bear-caliber firearm "Just In Case." (Legal where I ride)

+1 on the "Command Voice" on domesticated dogs, usually works. I've noticed dogs NEVER chase me downhill. They know I can outrun them. Uphill, different story. Get off and walk, keep bike between you and the dog. If more than one dog, might be a problem. I wear a loud whistle around my neck, this will startle most dogs pretty good if you are too out of breath to yell.

Lastly, don't forget the dog is only half the problem. Some idiot thinks you are suposed to give up your right to ride so they won't have to train their dog. People like that are rarely rational, it'll be your fault the dog chased you.:banghead:

Be prepared to deal with the worst of humanity if you have a conflict with a pet.

There are a lot of good 'dealing with fido' tips on the bike forums, of course none of them involve firearms. http://www.bikeforums.net/ is a good one I use regularly.

Hope this helps.

 

[gunthorp]

Our mailman uses milk bones. How 'bout steak

 

[Ramius]

Where to get it.

V4Vendetta-

Re-reading your post I realized I'd forgotten to answer the question....

You can get the dog-spray at Wally World usually in either the sporting goods or bike section.

If you can get to a bike shop though, you can often find a more effective type of spray. Try the bike shop in downtown Winston Salem if you can get there, it's next to the city buss station downtown, (NOT the old Grayhound terminal, which is closed) sorry the street name escapes me at the moment, but it's near the center of town near the Wachovia building. (he's got a wild assortment of bizarre bikes as well.)

There are several other bike shops a bit further from you, if you are out shopping just check the phone book.

If you get to needing bear spray, check the outdoors shops like the one on Stratford Road accross from the Krispy Kreem Donut place, or order it from Bass Pro shops, etc. Be prepared to pay $$$ for it though.

Hope all is well up Walnut Cove way.

 

[HUZI]

Im not sure if this has been said, but it is best to hop of your bike and put the bike between you and the dog.

 

[gunsmith]

V4V

Bear spray Guard Alaska

I swear by it, I've used it against 3 large drunks
who would have had to be shot If I didn't.

I've used regular spray thats had little effect but this stuff
is the nuclear weapon of pepper sprays.
most here at thr swear by foxlabs, I think they just have not tried Bear spray Guard Alaska.

Warning!!! it is a fog spray, it reaches 20-30 ft it is like using a nuke, I've spayed a BG and had people a block away have a reaction.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WIND

I have never had to use very much, get three cans so you can practice with one.

Don't tie the club to the bike get some kind of quic release, like velcro or something.

nine times out of ten the situation will be over if you dismount, and put the bike between you and the mutt.


nine times out of ten the dog isn't really mean it just has a stupid owner.
If you can spray the owner because they deserve it more then the dog!

 

[Richard.Howe]

Best weapon for bike riding?

Stronger legs.

Honestly -- I used to put in 200 miles a week on my road bike with no shortage of unfriendly dog encounters. I got to where I felt confortable with a medium-sized Spyderco and a small air horn. The air horn, 99% of the time, caused the dog to stop just long enough for me to ride off into the sunset.

You will not be shooting dogs from your bike. If he has attacked, you'll be on the ground.

Rich

 

[Zero_DgZ]

Second the above. I've only been jumped on my bike once (by man or dog) without coming out on top.

One drunken/violent man discovered the law of transfer of momenum very soundly when he was in front of me.

One bro' determined that clinging to a mountain bike with low gearing and high torque was a bad idea on pavement.

Several would be assailants learned that cable locks at speed hurt. A lot.

Countless dogs have learned that the bike goes faster than they do.

I wouldn't go trying to fire a gun from a bike unless you were stopped. Hard enough to straddle the thing when it's stopped with something resembling a proper stance, but let's see you just take both hands of the bars and aim something let alone fire a gun with recoil while you're moving on a bike. That's not that I don't recommend CCW'ing while biking, but the best bet is to bugger off from the situation if at all possible. You have two advantages: Gun and bike, and it's tricky to use both at the same time.

Dogs are also very hard targets to hit. I think something more area of effect like OC spray would be better for them, if you feel you really need something.