Re: Stray dog menace for cyclists

topic approved.

Re: Stray dog menace for cyclists

General tips dealing with dogs:
# Stay calm and pretend to be ignoring them (easier said than done, practice deep breathing to slow down heart beats). This is the single most action which has saved me during several occasions.
# Street dogs are highly territorial when the traffic calms down. The time when they transition from being soft to aggressive depends on traffic for that time. In big cities like bangalore dogs come to their own between 1230am to 4am. In smaller towns and villages this period will be wider. So being aware of the place and time helps in dealing with them.
# Having a whistle (seeti) hanging around neck can help in dealing with small group of 3-4 dogs. Their ears are sensitive to sound, they will avoid long clear sounds. Honking (which is familiar to them) may help, but whistle inflicts more surprise and damage to their ears.
# In cities avoid inside roads and be on main roads specially during nights.
# Keep your vehicle and tires/bumper clean. I mean wash them regularly. dogs don't like smell of other animal's/dog's urine; this is one of the reasons dogs chase cars during nights. Same holds good for shoes or footwares.
# If you are carrying food in your bag/sack it is possible the dogs are targeting food instead of you. Abandon the food immediately or use it as a means to move them away.

Disclaimer: I'm no expert on this matter. These are my personal experiences. Depending on the location, size of the pack and other factors these tips may or may not work.

Re: Stray dog menace for cyclists

Thanks bro.

Unfortunately I was bitten on a main road with less traffic at that time ( about 0500 am).

The whistle idea seems good. will give it a try next time.

For me , dog didn't give any time to react. it came perpendicular to my cycle.

Re: Stray dog menace for cyclists

What @zerobhp mentioned is true.. from personal experience with being someone who used to return home late nights/early mornings from work.
A stick will deter them, maybe get something like this


this works, i've seen the poor rag-pickers who are out early mornings carry a stick.. which both works as their tool and to keep the dogs away.

apart from that, don't run, just try to stay put and shoo them with a stick, stone and maybe whistle. i don't think they'd appreciate loud horns either might make it worse for you.
or better avoid that lane/route if possible if the menace is too much. i did that once when I was being chased by a dog almost everyday at the same spot, riding a duke(it's exhaust eh) and the face covered in helmet at 4am probably din't go down well with the canines i guess ! they seem to hate people with helmets/covered faces.