Oh no, a dog is charging towards me
New York has heavy traffic; Colorado suffers from severe oxygen depletion; Poland experiences monsoons; California's roads are in terrible condition; New England’s ice only melts in May; the Midwest is a wind tunnel; and the Southeast, where I’m currently training, has dogs. Every training session is either interrupted by dogs scavenging for food or forces me to increase my workout intensity just to avoid them!
Dogs have become a threat to cyclists. I know some people carry pepper spray or use dog deterrents. I don’t do that. I might shave my legs and stroll around in tight clothing—I like staying sleek—but I prefer using my own strength to earn my place in the food chain.
So next time you’re out cycling and a dog thinks you’re lunch, remember my advice.
Don’t panic. This is the golden rule of safe cycling, and it applies to dogs too. Even if you’re alone, don’t swerve suddenly. More than once, I’ve almost been hit by a car while trying to dodge a dog.
Running away sends a message to the dog that it’s the predator and you’re the prey. It also encourages the dog to chase you. As they say, dogs can smell fear.
Predict. Dogs are harder to predict than cars, but they’re far less dangerous. Most dogs will run alongside you, slowly closing in. Usually, these just bark without biting. The real danger comes from the overly brave—or foolish—dogs that jump right in front of you.
Like other road hazards, it’s best to look ahead and check for oncoming vehicles before approaching aggressive dogs. Also, these creatures tend to travel in packs—if you see one, there are likely more nearby.
Identify the target. When riding in a group, aggressive dogs usually chase the rider at the front along the roadside. If you’re leading, summon your courage and never brake. If you’re not the leader, create some distance and take out your camera.
Be the aggressor. Dogs are one of the few road hazards you can actually see. Use this to your advantage. You can’t intimidate potholes or gravel, but scaring off an aggressive dog means matching their aggression—fighting fire with fire.
Stand up and assert dominance. When a dog approaches, suddenly turn toward it. Yes, face the aggressive dog, but not to ram the poor creature—just to send a message. Then comes my favorite part—bark loudly like a dog. It works every time and is surprisingly fun.
Spraying water from your bottle also works. Though it might annoy some unreasonable dog owners.
Warn drivers. Cyclists have seen too many animals killed by cars. Let’s do our part to keep dogs off that list too. Whenever a vehicle approaches, I give a “slow down” hand signal and point at the nearby dogs.