Well it is now official; Spring has finally arrived for most of us here in North America. The bees have started to leave the hives to begin pollinating the annuals that are reaching out and competing for the warmth of the Sun’s rays. Here in West Michigan, our lakes have absorbed their icy layers and the time has come to begin packing in the winter wear and pulling down the summer attire. Our thoughts have turned to outdoor activities. This is the time of year when seasonal joggers and cyclists take to the paths and roadways to enjoy their sport. If you are one of the countless individuals who fall into this category, we invite you to read further.

Your sport is one in which millions of Americans enjoy. Many find the exhilaration from a bike ride through the countryside or a leisurely paced run through city parks or along rural pathways as a pleasure that is without equal. Each offer excellent cardio vascular exercise, as well as an opportunity to escape the stresses that may otherwise impact lives.

While these activities are enjoyable, worthwhile endeavors they also require some common sense practices that take into account your personal safety and security. What each of the activities has in common is that they eventually lead you away from a point of departure. Generally speaking, the physical space we occupy with our presence offers the greatest degree of security. Your home or your automobile are just two such examples. As threats to our safety materialize, one means of countering danger is to move to an alternate location, ideally one that limits vulnerabilities, or at least makes them more manageable.

Consider for a moment a vehicle motorcade engaged with the safe movement of a protected entity. Again as a general rule, the formation has three elements: the advance element, the main body and a follow-on element. The main body has a degree of safety in the space it occupies. As the motorcade begins to move to its destination, the lead element has responsibility of securing all areas the main body will occupy or otherwise pass through. The follow-on element protects against any security breach from the rear of the formation and may also serve to secure an area for the main body in the event a significant threat materializes and a safe area of retreat is needed.

With outdoor activities, such as jogging or cycling, we often begin with a departure from a relatively safe area lightly equipped to fend off an attacker, be it man or beast. Moreover, the nature of these sports compels us to overtake uncleared space as we advance along the route, thus reducing needed reaction time should a threat occur. Unless you consider a bicycle pump or a size 12 running shoe as defensive tools, you, like most others, rely heavily on the senses to alert you to dangers that may be encountered and to formulate evasive or defensive measures should the need arise. This is a reasonable option and is the basis for understanding the importance of remaining vigilant.

Unfortunately, one scenario that can be seen time and time again is runners and cyclists wearing audio headphones and keeping pace with the aid of 10 gigabytes of tunes saved on their IPod. If you ever what to signal “distracted and vulnerable” to an assailant, there is better way then by huffing and puffing while bobbing your head to the beat of some former American Idol contestant. Chance are better than even that at some point you’ll step off a curb or ride directly in the path of some similarly distracted motorist who is listening to the same Idol singer as you are. Not the type of meeting that leads to “Happily ever after.”

Dispense with the headphones. Unless you’re running with a pack of Secret Service agents at your heels, you’re traveling much too lightly in most instances to defend yourself, unless of course, you can outrun your attacker. Your senses need to be heightened and remain sharp.

–Instead, try finding a partner who enjoys the sport as much as you, someone you can rely on to keep an activity schedule that works for you. Together you can increase your degree of vigilance and reduce vulnerability. In addition, the time may prove to be more enjoyable if you find someone to share it with. Another benefit comes from the subtle competition that occurs between you and your partner and the discovery that she or he is wheezing just as hard as you are.

–Know the route and let others know it too. Drive as much of the route as possible beforehand becoming as familiar with it as possible. Look for blind spots, low lying or wooded areas. Also, remain alert for designated parking areas or rest spots along your route where vehicles may remain parked for periods of time without raising suspicions. These are danger points for joggers, hikers and others; particularly if traveling alone and on the fringes of populated areas. When you are able to describe to others the route from start to finish, you’ll have done your homework. Be sure to plan enough time for your outing that allows you a return to your safe area well before night falls. If you need to cut the run or ride short, then so be it or put it off for another day.

–During the outing, keep alert for others along your trail. If your route is one well-known and exclusive to runners, your sense of security should immediately heighten if you come into contact with anyone who does not fit the normal activity profile. Always maintain a 360 degree of awareness from start to finish. If running alone don’t push yourself to the point of physical exhaustion. You’ll be physically less able to fend off an attacker if you are overtaxed and out of breath. And since you will be short-winded your ability to yell or scream for assistance will be at its limits also. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a whistle with you. Invest in one that uses a plastic or wood ball which can be found at most sporting good stores. Pair this with a detachable lanyard and you’ll be in business.

Lastly, we encourage you to cast off any mind set of “It won’t happen to me.” Be vigilant; be prudent; but don’t be so overconfident that you take off for a jog or bike ride with a naive sense of security. It’s difficult to be taken by surprise when you are well prepared while enjoying your favorite sport. Now turn off the computer, set down your book and lace up your shoes and then head outside into the fresh Spring air. It only comes around once a year. Be safe!

Before you get into your vehicle do you always sneak a peek inside first? Or do you just jump in because you’re always in a hurry to get to your next destination?

Make it a habit to always look inside your vehicle prior to opening the door. Whether it is day or night, locked or unlocked, parked in your garage or parked in public,  always look first.

Tinted windows?  Then get right up to the glass and peer in. You would not likely jump into a swimming pool without checking to see if there is water in there, likewise, do not get into the safety of your vehicle until you’ve determined that it is truly safe.

At night you should use a flashlight to shine into the front, back and hatch. If someone was lying in wait, you’d surely see him. Too many people are counting on you for you to take the “it won’t happen to me” mindset.