In my day job i am trained and refreshed regularly to deal with situations of a violent nature.
No matter how anyone feels about their own physical strength and abilities the advice i would give is to avoid confrontation wherever possible, particularly if the situation is escalating, even if it means getting out of the situation and "lose face ". No matter how well trained you are it only reduces the possibiliies of harm and without regular refresher training your confidence will decline.
De escaltion and break away training, i would suggest at the most is what anyone who is concerned for their general wellbeing needs.
The most important thing to remember is whatever action you take in any violent situation has to be" proportionate and necessary" to the harm itself.
There are many cases of case law following these type of situations where the " defendant " has found themselves at the wrong end of the law following what has started as violence againt them.
Cyclists like ourselves are generally quite fit and should use this advantage to pedal away wherever possible , i have.
Good point though, and it shows just what some members of our society can be like. Why "take them on " is my thought and instead learn to avoid possible harm and only do the absolute minimum to get myself out of harms way.
Experiences of assaults , injuries, hospital treatments to myself have taught me its better to avoid than increase any risk of harm to myself or others
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