[ksr5]

I just ran across this article in a local news paper there has been more and more of these incidents in our area as more people use the trails. In the last year several people have been assaulted on their bikes, I often think I ride a expensive bike and I am a fairly easy target when on trail should I be looking into some type of protection?

http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=361731

[Bluevoss]

I carry police spray (given to me by a cop). Dunno if I could get it out of the hip pocket quick - think about that a lot.

I don't know - there are parts of a new trail through town that cut through industrial area and by hobo jungles. I like riding at night but won't go down there.

If I had to, I'd consider a gun. I really don't know how well spray works.

[Bluevoss]

I'll add that years ago, I was taking my bike loop at night and part of it runs down a trail. Right where it goes through a wooded section, I heard something come crashing out of the woods to my left. Just leaned into the pedals and went hyperspace. Got home 15 minutes later and called the cops to report what happened.

See, I thought they might roll a car over there, shine a light, something.

The guy told me "Well, maybe you shouldn't be riding a bike at 11 o'clock at night".

Hey, thanks! I'd like to say I had a comeback ready - "Oh, is the police department closed?" "Looks like I'll be buying a gun since YOU guys won't do your job" "And your name and badge number is?" - but no, I just hung up and wondered WTF.

[Poolie]

Over the years we've had several robberies and one killing on a very popular 100+ mile trail in Atlanta. The trail, an old rail bed runs past many 'questionable' neighborhoods. Most of the incidences have been teen/gang related. I carry a fairly large knife with me while riding. As long as someone didn't pull a gun on me, the knife is probably good enough to discourage someone. The only things I carry of value are my GPS, phone and the bike itself. The police patrol the trail pretty regularly on ATV's during daylight hours and there's usually enough traffic on the trail on the days I ride that it's pretty safe. I've put over 2k miles on the trail this past year and have never felt threatened -- there's always tomorrow though.

[Industry_Hack]

Saber Defense makes a spray you can attach to your frame, or wear on your upper arm, like an MP3 player.

[TxCyclist]

I feel sorry for everyone in that article.

[Duende54]

We have long river trails here that have underpasses going by major roadways. Parts of this go through sketchy areas of towns and there have been reports of people getting rushed under the bridges. I avoid these areas,t here are plenty of other safe areas to ride.

[TrailViewMount]

I don't like riding on urban area trails. I'd much rather do small town rural. And anywhere around Atlanta would scare the crap out of me. Low income and unemployed types can become desperate types fast. I mean when was the last time you read about a middle income person robbing someone?

[wild]

Maybe I should switch to bear repelent, dog repelent may not be enough any more.

[Poolie]

Just heard an unconfirmed rumor that someone was robbed on the bike trail not far from my house earlier in the week. Supposedly the rider was alone and attacked by a gang of kids and took his wallet but left he and bike alone. I'm hoping it's one of those, a friend of a friends third cousin's brother got robbed on the SCT, and turns out to be nothing.