Biking is a great form of exercise.
Many of us do it to keep in shape and stay healthy.
Often towns and cities establish bike paths so that bikers will not have to contend with automobile traffic and other distractions.
Even though we have taken precautions to protect cyclists, surprising and tragic events can still often occur.
We need to be prepared when they do.
There was a news article recently about a woman who was attacked while riding her bike on a local bike path.
The article noted that this was only one of several incidents that had happened on that bike path in recent years.
The bike rider said that she has seen the man earlier in the day.
We know if she saw him, he certainly saw her, and probably began to make plans at that time to assault her later in the day when it was safer for him.
A person riding alone can be an easy target.
Cyclists, in general, can be very vulnerable.
It doesn't take much to push over a riding cyclist and gain the upper hand.
The police offered suggestions for safer biking throughout the area.
First and foremost, bike in pairs or groups.
Someone is less likely to be attacked if there are other people around.
Keep your cell phone handy and be sure your 911 capability is activated.
Also, you might want to carry something for self-protection such as pepper spray, a TASER, or a stun gun.
The legality of TASERS and stun guns varies from state to state, and you would be best off checking the laws of your state of residence.
Pepper spray is legal in all fifty states.
However, some states control it a more than others.
Keep your pepper spray in a handy place.
You do not want to be fumbling around for it when time is of the essence and someone is attempting to attack you.
Pepper spray is the perfect deterrent against an attack.
First of all, it is non-lethal; you will not kill anyone.
Secondly, the attacker does not need to be real close to you for it to work.
Most sprays will shoot out about ten to fifteen feet.
Pepper spray's active ingredient is capsaicin derived from plants in the capsicum genus, of which chili is one.
Pepper spray is also referred to as Oleoresin Capsicum.
It is an inflammatory spray which will get into the attacker's eyes and cause temporary blindness.
The attacker will also have difficulty breathing and will be incapacitated for a while.
This will give time to get away from your assailant.
This is exactly what is needed to buy some time to escape your attacker.
Pepper spray gives that time.
Remember, being prepared is key.
It is too late to think about it once something happens.
Personal protection must be obtained now while the thought of it is fresh in our minds.
We constantly read or hear news stories about someone being attacked.
The FBI reports that a violent crime is committed every 22 seconds.
Let's not be one of those victims.
Preparation for self-defense can make the difference.
Make sure that every adult member of your family carries self-defense protection.
Many different types of stores carry pepper spray.
It can also be purchased online.
When you do purchase it, get enough for your loved ones also.
Pepper spray is not an expensive item.
It can be given as a gift or for no other reason than you want to protect a wife, child, or anyone that you love or care about.
Many of us do it to keep in shape and stay healthy.
Often towns and cities establish bike paths so that bikers will not have to contend with automobile traffic and other distractions.
Even though we have taken precautions to protect cyclists, surprising and tragic events can still often occur.
We need to be prepared when they do.
There was a news article recently about a woman who was attacked while riding her bike on a local bike path.
The article noted that this was only one of several incidents that had happened on that bike path in recent years.
The bike rider said that she has seen the man earlier in the day.
We know if she saw him, he certainly saw her, and probably began to make plans at that time to assault her later in the day when it was safer for him.
A person riding alone can be an easy target.
Cyclists, in general, can be very vulnerable.
It doesn't take much to push over a riding cyclist and gain the upper hand.
The police offered suggestions for safer biking throughout the area.
First and foremost, bike in pairs or groups.
Someone is less likely to be attacked if there are other people around.
Keep your cell phone handy and be sure your 911 capability is activated.
Also, you might want to carry something for self-protection such as pepper spray, a TASER, or a stun gun.
The legality of TASERS and stun guns varies from state to state, and you would be best off checking the laws of your state of residence.
Pepper spray is legal in all fifty states.
However, some states control it a more than others.
Keep your pepper spray in a handy place.
You do not want to be fumbling around for it when time is of the essence and someone is attempting to attack you.
Pepper spray is the perfect deterrent against an attack.
First of all, it is non-lethal; you will not kill anyone.
Secondly, the attacker does not need to be real close to you for it to work.
Most sprays will shoot out about ten to fifteen feet.
Pepper spray's active ingredient is capsaicin derived from plants in the capsicum genus, of which chili is one.
Pepper spray is also referred to as Oleoresin Capsicum.
It is an inflammatory spray which will get into the attacker's eyes and cause temporary blindness.
The attacker will also have difficulty breathing and will be incapacitated for a while.
This will give time to get away from your assailant.
This is exactly what is needed to buy some time to escape your attacker.
Pepper spray gives that time.
Remember, being prepared is key.
It is too late to think about it once something happens.
Personal protection must be obtained now while the thought of it is fresh in our minds.
We constantly read or hear news stories about someone being attacked.
The FBI reports that a violent crime is committed every 22 seconds.
Let's not be one of those victims.
Preparation for self-defense can make the difference.
Make sure that every adult member of your family carries self-defense protection.
Many different types of stores carry pepper spray.
It can also be purchased online.
When you do purchase it, get enough for your loved ones also.
Pepper spray is not an expensive item.
It can be given as a gift or for no other reason than you want to protect a wife, child, or anyone that you love or care about.