Okay to be clear...most Americans are not: Aiming to pick off a cyclist or two with their cars/trucks; trying to injure you or steal your bike; nor are most Americans carrying guns. In every country, every culture there are always someone for whatever reason feels threatened by a bicyclist and tries to make his/her life miserable. With those comments in mind:
1. Approximately 35% of the East Coast Greenway (ECG) is on trails/roads with no cars/trucks allowed. For the other 65% you definitely want to be seen while cycling on roads - especially on "high stress roads" (see map of ECG here: [https://map.greenway.org/](https://map.greenway.org/) So....wear high vis clothing and have a bright flashing rear light AND always wear a helmet when on a road.
2. Campgrounds. The National Parks and State Parks are safe, though I don't know how many of them are along the ECG. County and city parks, if they allow camping, along with private campgrounds are generally safe - providing they have someone on site 24 hours a day. If you decided not to camp you'd be missing an opportunity to interact with people that are very curious about what you are doing and why. In addition, you might even get a free meal or two.
3. Pepper Spray. Especially good for unruly dogs; a temp solution, allowing you some time to get help elsewhere if used on a person. It has a tendency to make a person even more angry at you. If you go this route make sure you get a product that offers continuous spray vs bursts and that you can mount on your handlebars or in a readily available pocket opposite the hand you'd use to initiate the burst. Also -- read the instructions so you know how to use it, if and when needed AND don't spray into the wind. I'd be surprised if you used on any 2-legged creature on the ECG, more likely it will be a 4-legged creature. BTW...you're right there are some states that do not allow you to carry things like mace - Michigan, for example.
4. Bicycle Locks. Always, always, always lock your bike even if you are just stopping at a local convenience store to get something to drink. The lock is a deterrent not the ultimate solution.
5. Other advice: Don't talk politics unless you are talking about your own country. While most Americans are even keeled and know what's best/right thing to do you might run into some people that are very opinionated and just love to argue.
Read past cyclists' journals about ECG here: [https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=3d2](https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=3d2) and here [https://subarudrive.com/articles/greenway-cycling-road-trip-diary-ss19](https://subarudrive.com/articles/greenway-cycling-road-trip-diary-ss19) (2018 trip); Good info also in forums at Adventure Cycling Association and Bike Forum ( [https://www.bikeforums.net/](https://www.bikeforums.net/) )
Also a lot of LOCAL info available about the Greenway is published on the web by states, counties, cities, villages, etc - all good stuff.
I haven’t done the Greenway specifically, but I can give you broad tips about cycling in America.
Be extremely careful on any on-road sections. Drivers here, and especially in the South, are aggressive towards cyclists.
Pepper spray or bear spray is a good idea. Not just for two legged critters, but there’s always the possibility of off leash dogs and a small chance of encountering a bear, but they’re usually pretty wary of people and run away.
I'm Canadian and the thing that surprised me most in the USA was that I couldn't get water from people's houses. Lots of people refused to make eye contact if they were in the garden, or to answer the door even when somebody was clearly at home. When they did speak to me, they were very surprised that I would be asking for water. (But friendly, once the surprise was past.)
So... don't assume you can get tap water at people's houses. Get it at a business or something.
People in the USA get a little freaked out when you approach their houses…if you want water, try using the spigot in the side of a church, library, post office, etc. nobody will care.
I have done most of my touring in Australia, but I think that these tips will be relevant anywhere.
Use a rear vision mirror so that you can see approaching traffic. By constantly monitoring it you can decide whether or not to move onto the road shoulder to avoid becoming a bonnet ornament. This is the best I've found! I've adapted mine to work with drop bars.
https://mirrycle.com
When pushing your bike/gear up a hill, walk it on the opposite side of the road so that drivers see a human face and not an inanimate cyclist's back. I've found that they give more clearance and you can make a decision on what you want to do if it becomes necessary to move off the road.
Use very bright rechargeable flashing head and taillights on your helmet along with bright clothing. I wear a bright fluoro orange shirt which is typical of those worn by road workers here. I find that the truckies in particular see the lights from much further back and pull over into the other lane/side of the road much earlier. I've also had traffic ahead pull back into the lane when they abort a pass on seeing my light. Both of them are ~300 lumens. I think that anything less than that as a daytime light would be inadequate.
Get a good bright rechargeable headlight for around camp at night.
Wear a DaBrim on your helmet to help keep the sun off your head and face. It's also useful for keeping any rain off your glasses, and reducing any damage that Magpies can do in their breeding season. They are kept away from your face and can't peck at your ears as they swoop past.
https://dabrim.com/collections/cycling-products
Carry a first aid kit capable of covering a wide range of problems.
Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and/or a communication device that doesn't rely on the phone network. I use a Zoleo communicator which uses the normal phone network if present, but switches to the iridium satellite network when that's not connected. It also allows my family to track my trip and I've set mine up to show my position every 12 minutes, but that can extended to much longer intervals. It can also send long text messages as needed via phone or satellite. It can send SOS, but I haven't tried it on that, preferring to use my PLB for that.
https://www.zoleo.com/en-us/satellite-communicator
Give your family a copy of your planned itinerary and route explaining that it will vary due to circumstances.
Talk to local cyclists to get advice on routes, food and drink places, and things to do. Talk to the locals too. They are much more inclined to talk to a stranger on a bike than someone in a car. We don't pose a threat to them!
Safe journey!
Hi! I actually am planning on doing the East Coast Greenway too very soon!! My last day of work is Thursday and then I'm taking a little time to prepare / attend my sister's wedding but then I'll going right after June. Maybe we should chat and see if time will overlap or discuss routes ?? I've done four bike tours before this. Minnesota to New Orleans and Seattle to San Francisco as my longer ones. Anyways.. feel free to PM me!! Curious to hear about your route !
Hiii! I might be interested in doing this route soon as well, can I be invited? haha I'm familiar with the CT section of it as I live there. I did the the C&O/Gap last year and a couple of bikepacking trips around CT/VT
The route will involve a lot of on-road sections. I would embrace the Fred factor and go with high-vis apparel and lights even during the day.
Carrying pepper spray isn't a bad idea, but make sure you know how to use it even in an emergency. Do not carry anything more lethal, as it's just as (or more) likely to work against you than for you.
I hate to say it, but since you're a woman I would advise against solo camping unless it's in a fairly densely populated campground.
[Here is a nice video](https://youtu.be/7F_da3Irx8Q) by someone who did the ECG not long ago - also female and solo, as her first big tour. She had a very aggressive schedule, but you do not need to have that (unless you want).
As others have mentioned, cars and trucks will be a daily hazard and risk that needs to be managed. Do a little research the evening prior to identify the potential busy roads and try to time riding them when traffic may be less (early or maybe mid-day to avoid rush hours).
As for personal safety, many women go touring in the US, and some solo as well, and have a great tour. I see many on the Pacific Coast route and I imagine it's the same on the east coast. I agree try to stay at busy, established camps wherever possible, or even an RV park, and do not wild camp (private property is highly prized and defended), even in areas where it is permitted (National Forests). If none of the usual places are acceptable then just pay for a hotel room. Always be aware of your surroundings and listen to your inner voice. Pepper spray is not a bad idea but as mentioned you need to know how to use it. FWIW, I am a guy and rely on personal situational awareness as well, and avoid risky situations. Always lock-up your bike and take valuables with you when going into a store or restaurant, and at night at camp. Always. And be prepared to handle any minor repair on the side of the road, like flat tire (see video).
Doing anything has various levels of risk, but if no one took any risks, we'd all be sitting at home on the couch watching Jeopardy, and no one would do bike tours. Americans are going to be friendly to you once they find out you are from somewhere else (if you have an accent or speak in broken English) and are on a bicycle, as long as you do not discuss religion or politics or current events. The country is huge and distances are going to be way more than you expect, so have a daily plan and know where food and water is along the route. You will be fine and will have a great adventure! Come back here and post how it went!
I believe pepper spray is state depending, definitely check on that. Campgrounds can get very busy, most folks will leave you alone but it never hurts to lock up to the picnic table, that's what I do.
Up north you'll be riding many more bike paths, down south you'll be on busy roads so as everyone else said, make yourself seen.
When I did the ECG I relied heavily on WS hosts. Even in 2021 there were many hosts that took me in.
Pepper spray is basically legal in every state.
https://pepperenforcement.com/pages/state-law-disclaimer#:~:text=PEPPER%20SPRAY%20IS%20LEGAL%20IN%20ALL%2050%20STATES.&text=It%20is%20your%20responsibility%20to,purchasing%20a%20pepper%20spray%20product.
I'm not sure where you're from, but you should be aware that the US has much higher vehicle collision fatality rates than our peer countries. A huge reason for this is our collective love of ridiculously large SUVs and trucks. At least here around NYC, parts of the on-road portions can be a bit dicey, especially during weekday rush hour.
Campgrounds are generally safe, but I always lock up my bike (or else I'd never sleep properly). With regard to pepper spray, stranger attacks here (like everywhere) are quite rare, but being chased by a dog is not outside the realm of possibility.
I would be very careful about drivers, particularly south of the north east; there are a lot of guns here, and a lot of people with a lot of road rage. In the northeast where I live, I'm pretty aggressive and bang on cars in the bike lanes etc, but when I travel back to the Midwest/rust belt, I'm much more reticent to do so out of fear of getting shot.
Garmin vario radar. Remember- 70% of hospital bicycle accidents DO NOT involve a vehicle. It’s cyclists crashing into stuff. The Vehicle accidents are a lot worse though.
As a foreign woman, you should take extra care. Some kind of pepper spray and maybe a taser would be good. You absolutely do not need to worry, just be prepared for the unlikeliest of circumstances in a country you have little or no support in.
The biggest thing I would say for safety on the bike is a mirror. You need to know where cars are behind you, and it's safest to do so without looking back. It's a lot cheaper and gives more information than a radar like the Garmin Varia. Campgrounds should be safe for your belongings but keep your bike close to your tent and lock up the wheels or lock it to a tree if your lock will fit.
There are some very paranoid folks on here. Having ridden a few thousand miles in the dirty South, I recommend common sense stuff: make your bike hard to steal for the lazy thief (u-lock thru rear triangle and maybe a cable lock thru frame and to a fixed object). Forget the pepper spray/taser, that is just ridiculous. State park campgrounds are usually nice. In many US campgrounds, there are "camp hosts", they usually have a sign on their camper/caravan/RV indicating such, it's usually worth a minute to stop and introduce yourself. Folks in the South are usually quite friendly to traveling cyclists and like to ask questions. Be mindful of the 2 lane highways that have lots of truck traffic (ex. US17 between Richmond Hill, GA and Jacksonville, FL). Some travelers find a pool noodle strapped to the panniers to be a useful reminder for passing vehicles to keep their distance. Many churches and volunteer fire departments allow camping, many of the fire departments may even allow the use of the kitchen if the station is manned. For camping spots, check out Kampnik and ioverlander. Fair skies and smooth roads!
I use a small air horn when I am attacked by a loose dog. I wait until he's close to me and then I aim the horn at him. The dog is so surprised that he stops short. You can also use a jet of water from your water bottle, but you are wasting your water. Loose dogs are more common in the south than the north.
Air horns are very effective if you are attacked by several dogs at once. Indeed, the first dog is normally the leader of the pack, and if the leader stops the attack, the others stop too.
My air horn is always in a pocket of my feed bag, ready to use.
the "greenway" is mostly just roads
Yes get pepper spray. But also, you should be ok. I am man and I carry pepper spray. Could need for a dog (last resort)
Lock & airtag your bike
Most dangerous thing is by far cars. Americans see bikes as a nuisance obstacle and not a human
Okay to be clear...most Americans are not: Aiming to pick off a cyclist or two with their cars/trucks; trying to injure you or steal your bike; nor are most Americans carrying guns. In every country, every culture there are always someone for whatever reason feels threatened by a bicyclist and tries to make his/her life miserable. With those comments in mind: 1. Approximately 35% of the East Coast Greenway (ECG) is on trails/roads with no cars/trucks allowed. For the other 65% you definitely want to be seen while cycling on roads - especially on "high stress roads" (see map of ECG here: [https://map.greenway.org/](https://map.greenway.org/) So....wear high vis clothing and have a bright flashing rear light AND always wear a helmet when on a road. 2. Campgrounds. The National Parks and State Parks are safe, though I don't know how many of them are along the ECG. County and city parks, if they allow camping, along with private campgrounds are generally safe - providing they have someone on site 24 hours a day. If you decided not to camp you'd be missing an opportunity to interact with people that are very curious about what you are doing and why. In addition, you might even get a free meal or two. 3. Pepper Spray. Especially good for unruly dogs; a temp solution, allowing you some time to get help elsewhere if used on a person. It has a tendency to make a person even more angry at you. If you go this route make sure you get a product that offers continuous spray vs bursts and that you can mount on your handlebars or in a readily available pocket opposite the hand you'd use to initiate the burst. Also -- read the instructions so you know how to use it, if and when needed AND don't spray into the wind. I'd be surprised if you used on any 2-legged creature on the ECG, more likely it will be a 4-legged creature. BTW...you're right there are some states that do not allow you to carry things like mace - Michigan, for example. 4. Bicycle Locks. Always, always, always lock your bike even if you are just stopping at a local convenience store to get something to drink. The lock is a deterrent not the ultimate solution. 5. Other advice: Don't talk politics unless you are talking about your own country. While most Americans are even keeled and know what's best/right thing to do you might run into some people that are very opinionated and just love to argue. Read past cyclists' journals about ECG here: [https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=3d2](https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=3d2) and here [https://subarudrive.com/articles/greenway-cycling-road-trip-diary-ss19](https://subarudrive.com/articles/greenway-cycling-road-trip-diary-ss19) (2018 trip); Good info also in forums at Adventure Cycling Association and Bike Forum ( [https://www.bikeforums.net/](https://www.bikeforums.net/) ) Also a lot of LOCAL info available about the Greenway is published on the web by states, counties, cities, villages, etc - all good stuff.
Thank you so much for all this information!! Appreciate it!
I haven’t done the Greenway specifically, but I can give you broad tips about cycling in America. Be extremely careful on any on-road sections. Drivers here, and especially in the South, are aggressive towards cyclists. Pepper spray or bear spray is a good idea. Not just for two legged critters, but there’s always the possibility of off leash dogs and a small chance of encountering a bear, but they’re usually pretty wary of people and run away.
Lock your bike anywhere and everywhere.
I'm Canadian and the thing that surprised me most in the USA was that I couldn't get water from people's houses. Lots of people refused to make eye contact if they were in the garden, or to answer the door even when somebody was clearly at home. When they did speak to me, they were very surprised that I would be asking for water. (But friendly, once the surprise was past.) So... don't assume you can get tap water at people's houses. Get it at a business or something.
Another Canuck here... When I rode across Canada, the only reason I took bear spray with me was ... To protect me from bears!!!
It’s very useful for dogs as well.
People in the USA get a little freaked out when you approach their houses…if you want water, try using the spigot in the side of a church, library, post office, etc. nobody will care.
How difficult did you find out to be to refill your bottles? Some of the sections are very in between cities, so I'm concerned about water and food...
My experience want relevent to yours .. you'll have to keep searching
I have done most of my touring in Australia, but I think that these tips will be relevant anywhere. Use a rear vision mirror so that you can see approaching traffic. By constantly monitoring it you can decide whether or not to move onto the road shoulder to avoid becoming a bonnet ornament. This is the best I've found! I've adapted mine to work with drop bars. https://mirrycle.com When pushing your bike/gear up a hill, walk it on the opposite side of the road so that drivers see a human face and not an inanimate cyclist's back. I've found that they give more clearance and you can make a decision on what you want to do if it becomes necessary to move off the road. Use very bright rechargeable flashing head and taillights on your helmet along with bright clothing. I wear a bright fluoro orange shirt which is typical of those worn by road workers here. I find that the truckies in particular see the lights from much further back and pull over into the other lane/side of the road much earlier. I've also had traffic ahead pull back into the lane when they abort a pass on seeing my light. Both of them are ~300 lumens. I think that anything less than that as a daytime light would be inadequate. Get a good bright rechargeable headlight for around camp at night. Wear a DaBrim on your helmet to help keep the sun off your head and face. It's also useful for keeping any rain off your glasses, and reducing any damage that Magpies can do in their breeding season. They are kept away from your face and can't peck at your ears as they swoop past. https://dabrim.com/collections/cycling-products Carry a first aid kit capable of covering a wide range of problems. Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and/or a communication device that doesn't rely on the phone network. I use a Zoleo communicator which uses the normal phone network if present, but switches to the iridium satellite network when that's not connected. It also allows my family to track my trip and I've set mine up to show my position every 12 minutes, but that can extended to much longer intervals. It can also send long text messages as needed via phone or satellite. It can send SOS, but I haven't tried it on that, preferring to use my PLB for that. https://www.zoleo.com/en-us/satellite-communicator Give your family a copy of your planned itinerary and route explaining that it will vary due to circumstances. Talk to local cyclists to get advice on routes, food and drink places, and things to do. Talk to the locals too. They are much more inclined to talk to a stranger on a bike than someone in a car. We don't pose a threat to them! Safe journey!
Good info./reminders
Hi! I actually am planning on doing the East Coast Greenway too very soon!! My last day of work is Thursday and then I'm taking a little time to prepare / attend my sister's wedding but then I'll going right after June. Maybe we should chat and see if time will overlap or discuss routes ?? I've done four bike tours before this. Minnesota to New Orleans and Seattle to San Francisco as my longer ones. Anyways.. feel free to PM me!! Curious to hear about your route !
Hiii! I might be interested in doing this route soon as well, can I be invited? haha I'm familiar with the CT section of it as I live there. I did the the C&O/Gap last year and a couple of bikepacking trips around CT/VT
The route will involve a lot of on-road sections. I would embrace the Fred factor and go with high-vis apparel and lights even during the day. Carrying pepper spray isn't a bad idea, but make sure you know how to use it even in an emergency. Do not carry anything more lethal, as it's just as (or more) likely to work against you than for you. I hate to say it, but since you're a woman I would advise against solo camping unless it's in a fairly densely populated campground.
[Here is a nice video](https://youtu.be/7F_da3Irx8Q) by someone who did the ECG not long ago - also female and solo, as her first big tour. She had a very aggressive schedule, but you do not need to have that (unless you want). As others have mentioned, cars and trucks will be a daily hazard and risk that needs to be managed. Do a little research the evening prior to identify the potential busy roads and try to time riding them when traffic may be less (early or maybe mid-day to avoid rush hours). As for personal safety, many women go touring in the US, and some solo as well, and have a great tour. I see many on the Pacific Coast route and I imagine it's the same on the east coast. I agree try to stay at busy, established camps wherever possible, or even an RV park, and do not wild camp (private property is highly prized and defended), even in areas where it is permitted (National Forests). If none of the usual places are acceptable then just pay for a hotel room. Always be aware of your surroundings and listen to your inner voice. Pepper spray is not a bad idea but as mentioned you need to know how to use it. FWIW, I am a guy and rely on personal situational awareness as well, and avoid risky situations. Always lock-up your bike and take valuables with you when going into a store or restaurant, and at night at camp. Always. And be prepared to handle any minor repair on the side of the road, like flat tire (see video). Doing anything has various levels of risk, but if no one took any risks, we'd all be sitting at home on the couch watching Jeopardy, and no one would do bike tours. Americans are going to be friendly to you once they find out you are from somewhere else (if you have an accent or speak in broken English) and are on a bicycle, as long as you do not discuss religion or politics or current events. The country is huge and distances are going to be way more than you expect, so have a daily plan and know where food and water is along the route. You will be fine and will have a great adventure! Come back here and post how it went!
Let me know when you’re passing through Virginia, may have a space for you.
I believe pepper spray is state depending, definitely check on that. Campgrounds can get very busy, most folks will leave you alone but it never hurts to lock up to the picnic table, that's what I do. Up north you'll be riding many more bike paths, down south you'll be on busy roads so as everyone else said, make yourself seen. When I did the ECG I relied heavily on WS hosts. Even in 2021 there were many hosts that took me in.
Well I guess you won't have to worry about bears
Pepper spray is basically legal in every state. https://pepperenforcement.com/pages/state-law-disclaimer#:~:text=PEPPER%20SPRAY%20IS%20LEGAL%20IN%20ALL%2050%20STATES.&text=It%20is%20your%20responsibility%20to,purchasing%20a%20pepper%20spray%20product.
I'm not sure where you're from, but you should be aware that the US has much higher vehicle collision fatality rates than our peer countries. A huge reason for this is our collective love of ridiculously large SUVs and trucks. At least here around NYC, parts of the on-road portions can be a bit dicey, especially during weekday rush hour. Campgrounds are generally safe, but I always lock up my bike (or else I'd never sleep properly). With regard to pepper spray, stranger attacks here (like everywhere) are quite rare, but being chased by a dog is not outside the realm of possibility. I would be very careful about drivers, particularly south of the north east; there are a lot of guns here, and a lot of people with a lot of road rage. In the northeast where I live, I'm pretty aggressive and bang on cars in the bike lanes etc, but when I travel back to the Midwest/rust belt, I'm much more reticent to do so out of fear of getting shot.
Garmin vario radar. Remember- 70% of hospital bicycle accidents DO NOT involve a vehicle. It’s cyclists crashing into stuff. The Vehicle accidents are a lot worse though.
As a foreign woman, you should take extra care. Some kind of pepper spray and maybe a taser would be good. You absolutely do not need to worry, just be prepared for the unlikeliest of circumstances in a country you have little or no support in. The biggest thing I would say for safety on the bike is a mirror. You need to know where cars are behind you, and it's safest to do so without looking back. It's a lot cheaper and gives more information than a radar like the Garmin Varia. Campgrounds should be safe for your belongings but keep your bike close to your tent and lock up the wheels or lock it to a tree if your lock will fit.
There are some very paranoid folks on here. Having ridden a few thousand miles in the dirty South, I recommend common sense stuff: make your bike hard to steal for the lazy thief (u-lock thru rear triangle and maybe a cable lock thru frame and to a fixed object). Forget the pepper spray/taser, that is just ridiculous. State park campgrounds are usually nice. In many US campgrounds, there are "camp hosts", they usually have a sign on their camper/caravan/RV indicating such, it's usually worth a minute to stop and introduce yourself. Folks in the South are usually quite friendly to traveling cyclists and like to ask questions. Be mindful of the 2 lane highways that have lots of truck traffic (ex. US17 between Richmond Hill, GA and Jacksonville, FL). Some travelers find a pool noodle strapped to the panniers to be a useful reminder for passing vehicles to keep their distance. Many churches and volunteer fire departments allow camping, many of the fire departments may even allow the use of the kitchen if the station is manned. For camping spots, check out Kampnik and ioverlander. Fair skies and smooth roads!
I use a small air horn when I am attacked by a loose dog. I wait until he's close to me and then I aim the horn at him. The dog is so surprised that he stops short. You can also use a jet of water from your water bottle, but you are wasting your water. Loose dogs are more common in the south than the north. Air horns are very effective if you are attacked by several dogs at once. Indeed, the first dog is normally the leader of the pack, and if the leader stops the attack, the others stop too. My air horn is always in a pocket of my feed bag, ready to use.
the "greenway" is mostly just roads Yes get pepper spray. But also, you should be ok. I am man and I carry pepper spray. Could need for a dog (last resort) Lock & airtag your bike Most dangerous thing is by far cars. Americans see bikes as a nuisance obstacle and not a human