Recent Cyclist Stabbings

[Crickey7]

The first line of defense is to rely on your mobility. I used to ride through some of the worst neighborhoods in DC back in the early 90’s, when they were much worse than they are now. I would try hard to never come to a complete stop and never let anyone approach too close. I would turn around if I saw anything that set my radar off.

[rcannon100]

@83(b) 120532 wrote:

Ugh… in addition to carrying pepper spray I’ve started keeping my U-Lock close at hand on my front rack.

Courier position – U Lock slipped in back belt loop. Can slip it out with one quick motion.

[PotomacCyclist]

There was also the large-scale attack at 11th & R St NW, a couple weeks ago. Someone posted about it on another thread.

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2015/07/caught-on-camera-4-bicyclists-savagely-attacked-by-as-many-as-20-men-115625.html

Two of these incidents have occurred in the Shaw neighborhood. I mentioned in one of the other threads that I had a tense encounter while mapping bike racks in Shaw a few weeks ago. I was there in the early evening, around 6:30 pm when it was still light out. There were a lot of people on the sidewalks. I was stationary on the sidewalk near a small grocery. Two young men walk by. One of them asks me for a quarter. I said I didn’t have any. Then the other guy starts repeating the demand and swearing at me repeatedly. However, both of them kept walking slowly.

Most of the incidents seem to occur late at night and on empty streets. (The Hill East incident is an exception.) If possible, I would try to avoid riding through certain areas late at night. Main commercial strips would also be safer. U locks would only be a last resort. Keep it ready, but the best practice is to plan ahead so that you can minimize the risk of an incident in the first place.

In another thread, some people suggested carrying a personal alarm too.

The crime rate also bumps up over the summer. Some of these incidents might involve older high school students. Some of the individuals in the group attack look like they could be in high school. When the school year starts, many of these individuals will be more occupied. The crime rate usually falls back in the fall and into the winter.

I hope the crime rate falls (ideally down to zero, but that’s probably not going to happen). Until that happens, plan ahead, stay alert and take other measures to protect your safety. Stay safe, everyone.

[Brendan von Buckingham]

@Crickey7 120534 wrote:

The first line of defense is to rely on your mobility. I used to ride through some of the worst neighborhoods in DC back in the early 90’s, when they were much worse than they are now. I would try hard to never come to a complete stop and never let anyone approach too close. I would turn around if I saw anything that set my radar off.

If your feet come out the pedals you’ve either done something wrong or you’re there and the ride’s over.

[83b]

This unfortunate trend has inspired me to create my very first Kickstarter. With your backing we’re going to create the world’s first Artisanal Jousting Lance^TM made specifically for cyclists. Our lances will be vastly superior to current wood-based offerings because our carbon fiber models are available starting at a scant 175 grams!

I’ll be displaying the prototypes starting tomorrow on the 15th St, Penn Ave, and East Capitol bike lanes!

[peterw_diy]

83(b), dude, I need a lance that can be field repaired in Grant’s third world where arc welders are plentiful and nobody has heard of glue. Please design a steel model. Weight unimportant as it’s not rotating mass.

[Author]

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