What should you do if someone follows you while bike commuting?
If someone follows you on your bike commute, do not ride home or to your workplace bike cage while they are behind you. Divert to a busy, staffed place such as a transit station, a store or a building lobby with security. Note the person or vehicle and the plate. Call 911 if you are threatened or they keep following, and tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians can see your location.
On a commute, step by step
01Break your usual route
Commuters are predictable: same streets, same time, same destination. If you think someone is following, turn off your normal line two or three times. A driver or rider who takes the same unusual turns is not there by chance.
02Do not lead them to home or work
Your house and your office bike room are the two places you least want a follower to learn about. Head instead to a staffed building, a transit hub with station staff, a police or fire station, or a busy store where you can bring the bike inside.
03Use the city around you
Commuting routes run past people. Ride to a crowded intersection, stop near a crossing guard or a bus full of passengers, or pull into a bike shop. Walking the bike into a lobby and telling the security desk what is happening is a completely reasonable thing to do.
04Record what you can
Note the plate, the vehicle, or the rider's clothing and bike. Many commuters run a front or rear camera light, so save the footage before it records over. These details matter for a police report later.
05Call 911, then alert your Guardians
Once stopped somewhere safe, call 911 if you were threatened or are still being followed. Give the intersection or building name first, then the plate or description and where they went. Tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians get your live location by email and push. Holler does not call emergency services, so a person has to make that call.
06Adjust the commute for a while
Change your departure time and route for the next few weeks, and tell a coworker what happened. If it happened near work, let building security know so they can watch for the person or vehicle. Our guide to choosing a safe route has route ideas that work on a bike too, like lit streets with open businesses.
Related questions
What if the follower is another cyclist on my route?
Most riders behind you are going the same way to work. One who follows you off the bike lane, onto side streets and into a parking lot is different. Treat it the same way: stop somewhere staffed and let them go by.
Should I share my location on every commute?
It helps, especially on dark winter commutes. A live link to a partner or roommate means someone can see where you are if something goes wrong. Our guide to bike commuting at night covers lights and routes for the dark months.
Is it worth reporting if nothing happened?
Yes. A report of someone following cyclists on a commuter route can help police spot a pattern and may help the next rider. Use the non-emergency line if there was no immediate danger.
What if they follow me into a parking garage or bike room?
Don't go in. Enclosed spaces with one exit are the worst place to be followed into. Stay at the street entrance where people pass, or go into the lobby and ask the security desk to walk you in. Call 911 if the person waits for you.
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Sources, checked September 2026: Alexandria (Indiana) Police Department: Personal safety tips, Apple Support: Use Emergency SOS on your iPhone.
More safety answers, or see the safety guides.