The risk is often low, but the impact of an assault, robbery or other attack is massive.
It can significantly reduce how much you use your bike, and the stress-free enjoyment of riding when you do.
Consequently, it is worth trying to minimise the risk of assault before it ever happens to you.
“A typical assault on a cyclist is either before sunrise and after sunset, or when cyclists are isolated and very few other people are in the immediate area,” said Steven Hayward, Chairman of the Pedal Power Association (PPA).
“Thugs will generally also choose a spot that provides limited escape options, where they can block your way and push you off your bicycle.”
“Cycling, particularly at speed, can feel less exposed, but unfortunately it is very easy for criminals to push you off your bike or grab you as you try to ride past or away,” added Hayward.
Tips to stay safe:
- Your bike and any attached equipment, including cellphones and wallets that are visible in a back pocket, are additional goods a criminal may find attractive to steal.
- In high-risk circumstances, avoid strangers trying to stop or engage you.
- Avoid groups of people loitering on the street or spreading out in front of you. Pass wide if you can, and turn around if you are not feeling secure.
- If you are not riding from home, park your car in a place that will be safe.
- Ride with other cyclists, there is safety in numbers.
- Find out robbery and assault hotspots on your routes and avoid them.
- At night time, avoid off-road routes and routes with dead zones.
- Cyclists are most vulnerable when unable to quickly turn around or take an alternate route.
- Evade people trying to stop you and practise emergency manoeuvres like hopping onto a pavement if necessary.
- At minimum, it is worth practising quickly turning around and sprinting away as this is a critical skill that makes the most difference in whether you can escape situations where people are trying to stop you or knock you off the bike.
Also read:
You can cycle safely in winter
Teach children about safe cycling
