Re: Riding a bike a protection and in general

On 6/20/2025 12:39 PM, cyclintom wrote:

On Tue Jun 17 17:54:50 2025 Frank Krygowski  wrote:

>
First, I don't think this is a second amendment issue. This thing is
apparently a CO2 gun that shoots a ball of pepper spray.
>
Second, Deacon Mark posted about the device on a _discussion_ group.
That would give most people a clue that he expected us to _discuss_ it.
So don't try to shut down discussion via "What difference does it make?"
>
My interest is generated by the ever growing paranoia in this country -
the idea that our world is now so, so dangerous that everyone must carry
protective devices, must live in gated communities, must be ready to do
battle with home invaders, can never let kids play on their own, must
wear padding and foam hats to use anything with wheels (um, except
cars), must ride bikes ONLY on special surfaces which care tires can
never desecrate, must sign waivers to accept the risk of burns before
ordering hot coffee, etc.

 
Frank, on Tuesday I had dinner with my cop friend who saved my life, and breakfast the next morning. He told me that there were 5 cases of bicyclists being held up at gunpoint on Redwood Road and their wallets and bicycles stolen.

>
Wow. That's horrible, Tom! Five cases in what length of time?
>
FWIW, I haven't heard of such a thing around here, except one incident
on a bike path about 20 miles away, maybe ten years ago. Some teenagers
stopped another teenager and stole his bike.
>
I just got back from a ~50 mile ride. I have a little hobby of riding to
libraries, and today I visited one I'd never ridden to. I rode through
two city centers and rode over many country and suburban roads to get
there, and I <gasp!> controlled the lane when it was too narrow to
share. The only minor irritation was some girl in a car's passenger seat
yelling something about getting a bicycle license.
>
You need to move out of that hellhole. You're obviously very unhappy there.