Do you have any advice for fending off aggressive dogs while riding a motorcycle?

Question

Hello all,

I was cruising around your website and I must say, VERY IMPRESSIVE!! You folks really know your dogs! While I don't presently own a dog ( we had a beagle when I was young ) I like to ride my bicycle -- a lot. Which is why I'm writing.

My problem is: One of my favorite stomping grounds, and where I will live when I retire is Door County. The problem here is when riding on Door County's many farm roads, every now and then some idiot's aggressive unrestrained dog comes running out growling, barking, etc. Last time I checked the road is public property, and everyone has a right to drive, bike, jog, walk, crawl, etc on said public road. I know that most of the time the dog is merely protecting it's (erroniously) perceived territory. I have never gone uninvited onto private property with my bike or otherwise. I also know that running away encourages the dog's chase behavior, but sometimes it's just easier to accelerate to 35 - 37 mph or so and outrun it rather than get off, put the bike between me and the dog, etc. I've done this several times and to be honest I'm really getting tired of it. I also realize this is dangerous because, some day, my luck could run out (the dog may be a really fast Doberman, I could hit a pothole, I could have a 20 mph headwind, etc). Plus sometimes I just don't feel like sprinting around on my bike. My biggest fear is colliding with the dog which will take me down faster than Lance Armstrong descending the French Alps.

I do carry a pepper spray fogger, but it's difficult to spray accurately while riding a racing bike, and VERY dangerous to attempt. Also the times I have stopped and gotten off, etc the dog seems to know to stay about 20 feet away - just outside the effective range of most pepper sprays. Plus I'd then have to maneuver the dog down wind of me -- also difficult. For the most part I try to learn where the dog problems are and avoid those areas, but I shouldn't have to do that either. I've found that reporting this to the police doesn't accomplish much, until someone gets bitten, and I don?t want to go there! Any ideas you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much,
Dave

Accepted Answer

I don’t really have any earth shattering advice, I was going to recommend bear spray. I’m not sure if it’s got a longer range than the pepper spray you already have.

About the only other thing I can think of it to carry water balloons :-) and pelt the dogs with those as you ride by. Most dogs are going to be absolutely shocked that you actually fight back while you are moving.
If you are really coordinated, maybe a walking stick or trekking pole that you can smack them with as you ride by?

I’d probably go on a “dog training ride” on some of your favorite routes and actually sucker the dog in, and whack him a good one. Those dogs WILL remember you and steer clear if you get a good lick in. I love dogs but as a biker myself I value my safety more.

Sorry I’m not more help.

(I guess you could always try talking to the owners, a slim chance that will do much but I guess it’s worth a try. Most people who let their dogs run loose on the road don’t have the same mindset as responsible dog owners.)

Cindy