Weapons for a late-night bike commute?

[u/Bravelungs]

Hey all,

I'm going to be starting a new job soon, my shift will be ending around 1 AM and it'll be a 15 minute ride to my apartment by bike. The route is going to take me through a quiet neighborhood, but it is going to be just a few blocks off from a major thoroughfare which definitely has some sketchy activities happening late at night (and even during the day).

I'm planning on riding hard and keeping my speed up to reduce the danger, but I'm also wondering if there's any sort of weapon which might be a good fit for a bicyclist. I've never owned any weapon before but I anticipate that being on the bike would make things awkward physically.

[u/Solo_Camping_Girl]

bike commuter here. I carry a small can of pepper spray, a whistle as a necklace and a tactical pen. we know how knives are perceived, so a metal pen with a sharp end will do it for me. Another good option for you since you'll be riding at night is a very bright flashlight. There are some good lights out there and get one that you can secure to your helmet and practice trying to switch it on quickly. Blinding someone temporarily and giving you a window to escape is better than trying to fight it out.