San Francisco Commuter Self-Defense: Staying Safe on BART, MUNI, and City Transit with Krav Maga
If you live or work in San Francisco, chances are you rely on BART, MUNI, Caltrain, or a combination of public transit to get around. While the city is vibrant, energetic, and full of life, riding transit in SF comes with unique challenges—especially when it comes to personal safety.
You’ve probably seen headlines or social posts about thefts, harassment, or fights breaking out on a crowded train. Maybe you’ve even experienced that heart-pounding moment when a stranger gets just a little too close, or you notice someone sizing up your backpack. It’s a reality we don’t have to sensationalize—just acknowledge and address.
At Forge Krav Maga, we train San Francisco commuters for real-life safety. In SF, that means preparing for everything the city (and its transit system) can throw your way.
The Realities of Commuting in San Francisco
San Francisco’s public transit systems are safer than many big-city systems, but the risk of assault and robbery is still real—especially for anyone thinking about self-defense in the city.
MUNI: Broadly Safe, but Not Risk-Free
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, MUNI has generally maintained a crime rate below its official target of 2.7 incidents per 100,000 vehicle miles (SF.gov). That’s good news for riders and shows the system is stable from a broad, statistical perspective.
But the bigger concern for most commuters is violent crime—especially assault and robbery.
Assaults on MUNI have been gradually increasing: 32 in 2021, rising to 47 in 2024 (ABC7 News).
In March 2025, a woman was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being stabbed on a MUNI train near Carroll Avenue and Third Street. A juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with attempted murder (SF Chronicle).
BART: Crime Down Overall, but Violent Incidents Remain
For BART, overall crime is down:
In Q1 2025, BART reported a 23% drop in violent crime and a 33% decrease in property crime compared to Q1 2024.
Robberies have dropped from 271 incidents in 2019 to 165 in 2024 (SF Chronicle).
But aggravated assaults have risen over that same period (from 85 to 106).
And crucially, the rate of violent crimes per million rides (5.7) remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, so vigilance still matters (SF Chronicle).
In November 2024, a woman was slashed in the throat on a BART train near 24th and Mission—her attacker was later apprehended and charged with attempted murder.
How Does SF Compare to NYC and LA?
When comparing transit crime rates across major U.S. cities, BART's figures are notably higher:
In 2018, BART reported approximately 2.78 robberies and 1.04 assaults per million riders.
By comparison, New York City’s subway system reported 0.18 robberies and 0.64 assaults per million riders, while Washington D.C.'s Metro reported 0.77 robberies and 0.32 assaults per million riders (bayareapunk.com).
Los Angeles Metro also saw an uptick: in 2019, there were 0.84 crimes per 100,000 riders, increasing to 2.18 in 2024 (calmatters.org).
These comparisons highlight that while San Francisco's transit systems have made strides in reducing certain types of crime, challenges persist, especially when viewed against the backdrop of other major metropolitan areas.
The Bottom Line:
Statistically, public transit in San Francisco is relatively safe—but violent incidents, while rare, are real and can happen anywhere, to anyone. This is exactly why commuter-focused self-defense training isn’t about fear—it’s about readiness.
Why Commuter Self-Defense Is Different in San Francisco
Defending yourself on a train or bus is nothing like sparring in a gym—or even reacting in a wide-open parking lot. The environment is unpredictable: you’re surrounded by crowds, moving vehicles, poles, seats, limited escape routes, and nowhere to “reset.” On public transit, you have to manage not just your own safety, but also the chaos of bystanders, sudden stops, and close quarters.
It’s not just about one-on-one attacks:
Coordinated robberies or assaults—where two or more individuals work together to distract, surround, and overwhelm a target—are a real threat. On BART and MUNI, we see incidents where one person “creates a scene” or blocks an exit while an accomplice targets your bag, phone, or person. Forge students train specifically for these scenarios, practicing how to keep your head, position yourself, and fight your way out of a crowd or escape a group attack.
And here’s a hard truth: Even in a crowded train car, you can’t count on bystanders to step in.
Research shows that less than 10% of people physically intervene during violent transit incidents, and the more people are present, the less likely anyone is to act. In the moment, you’re likely on your own—so your skills, mindset, and preparation matter more than ever (NYT).
Real-world violence isn’t fair or predictable.
In the gym, sparring is controlled. There’s a referee, clear rules, and safety gear. You’re never surprised by an armed attacker, and there’s always the option to tap out or reset.
On transit, there are no rounds, no mats, and no do-overs—your opponent may be bigger, armed, or working with an accomplice. Attacks can come from the side or behind.
Weapons are a reality: we train for edged weapons (knives, box cutters), impact weapons (batons, bottles), and—especially in major cities—robbery at gunpoint.
The psychological stress of a real attack, the presence of bystanders, and the fear for your safety (and possibly your life) change everything. It’s not just a fight; it’s a survival situation.
Preemption: In self-defense, there’s a saying—“The person who acts first, wins.” Krav Maga teaches that if you have no safe way out and the threat is imminent, decisive action is the safest path. We never encourage starting fights or being the aggressor, but waiting to get hit first is a dangerous gamble. Our approach emphasizes reading intent, setting boundaries, and acting with commitment when there’s no other option.
The right mindset and skills make all the difference. At Forge, we believe that attribute development is as important as technique. What do we mean by attributes? Awareness, adaptability, assertiveness, resilience under stress, and the ability to make quick decisions are all attributes we build—on top of physical skills.
But the heart of Krav Maga is its self-defense mindset:
Survival first, everything else second. Krav Maga teaches you to keep going, even when you’re tired, scared, or surprised. You’re not fighting for points—you’re fighting to get home safe.
No ego, no rules, no hesitation. There’s no “fair fight” in a real-world attack. We train to use any tool, escape by any means, and do whatever it takes to survive and protect others.
Decisiveness under stress. The Krav Maga mindset is about acting boldly and without pause when a threat is real—moving forward, creating space, and escaping, not freezing or overthinking.
Prepared, not paranoid. We aim to build confidence, not fear—so you can walk tall, spot trouble early, and project the presence that deters most problems before they start.
It’s not enough to know “the moves.” You need the ability to read danger early, set boundaries with your body and voice, and take action with commitment if things escalate. Skills are what you learn; attributes and mindset are what make you effective when the situation is chaotic, fast, and unpredictable.
We train for both. Forge classes are about more than fighting—they’re about cultivating the readiness, calm, and determination you’ll need in a real-world scenario.
Krav Maga Principles for Urban Transit (San Francisco focused, for our local peeps)
“Awareness is the first step to safety. We encourage all riders to trust their instincts and take steps to protect themselves and their belongings while using public transit.”
— BART Police
“It’s important for the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately. Your attention and action help keep everyone safer.”
— San Francisco Police Department
Situational Awareness: The most powerful self-defense skill you have is simply paying attention. Awareness starts with being truly present—don’t get glued to your phone or lost in music. Make a habit of scanning your surroundings, making eye contact, and keeping your senses tuned to changes in the energy around you. Spot “pre-threat indicators” before trouble starts.
Use Your Environment: Barriers, poles, and even crowds can be allies if you know how to position yourself. Always know where the nearest exits are, where operators or authorities might be stationed, and what emergency call boxes or alarms are in sight. Have emergency numbers or apps ready on your phone so you can get help fast if needed.
Set Boundaries Early: Confidence, eye contact, and assertive body language deter most would-be troublemakers. Don’t be afraid to move, change seats, or make noise if you feel uncomfortable.
Protect Your Space: Learn to create and maintain personal space—even in a packed train car. The simple act of raising your hands (“the fence”) creates a physical and psychological barrier, signaling you’re alert and ready while prepping you to block, intercept, or push away. And when you sense trouble, get on your feet—standing gives you more options to move, create distance, and escape if necessary. Small shifts, angled stances, and verbal cues can keep most situations from escalating.
Essential Krav Maga Skills for San Francisco Commuters
Our approach is built around practical, progressive training. See our full curriculum here.
Grabs & Holds: We start training escapes from basic grabs and holds right from our introductory Practitioner Level 1 (P1) classes, which run seven days a week. As you progress, you’ll tackle more sophisticated holds, chokes, and control techniques at higher levels.
Knife, Impact Weapon, and Handgun Defense: Our curriculum covers defense against knife threats, stick-like or improvised impact weapons, and common handgun scenarios. For worst-case events—like long-gun or rifle threats in active shooter situations—we train specialized defenses built on sound tactics and real-world case studies.
Falling, Rolling & Getting Up: Safe fall breaks (from standing, from height, or from the side) start in P1 and go deeper in P3. You’ll also learn how to roll, recover, and get to your feet fast—whether your goal is to escape or “come up fighting” if there’s no safe exit.
Escape & Disengagement: When and how to get off at the next stop, attract attention, or use everyday objects as improvised shields.
Scan and Escape: After dealing with the immediate threat, take a breath and scan your environment—check for additional threats, potential allies, and the safest exit. Your goal is always to move to safety, not to stick around or re-engage.
How Forge Krav Maga Trains San Francisco Commuters for Real Life
At Forge, we believe that real-world self-defense is more than just memorizing moves—it’s about pressure-testing your skills under stress, with scenarios that match what actually happens on the street or on the train. Here’s how we prepare you for reality:
Scenario-Based Drills: We recreate commuter-specific situations, like defending yourself in a crowded train car, dealing with grabs while seated, or using your backpack or jacket as a shield. You’ll practice against verbal threats, distraction tactics, and coordinated group attacks.
Stress Inoculation: Real violence is chaotic. Our classes introduce controlled levels of stress (like noise, time pressure, or unexpected surprises) so you learn to make decisions and act even when your heart is pounding.
Weapon Defense for the Real World: We don’t just teach theory—you’ll handle mock knives, sticks, and handguns in realistic drills. We break down not just how to defend, but when it makes sense to act versus comply, especially in the unique confines of public transit.
Use of Environment: Learn to use seats, poles, barriers, and crowds to your advantage—how to position yourself, create space, and find your safest exit even when things get chaotic.
Building Attributes, Not Just Techniques: Every class at Forge focuses on attributes that keep you safer: awareness, adaptability, assertive presence, and the ability to scan and escape under pressure.
Feedback Loop: We constantly adapt and update drills based on student experiences, local crime trends, and best practices from law enforcement and martial arts experts. If something happens on BART or MUNI, we’ll break it down and add it to our training.
Whether you’re training for your commute or just want to know you can handle whatever life throws at you, Forge’s approach ensures you’re not just learning choreography—you’re developing real, adaptable skills for the moments that matter.
Getting Started: No Experience Needed
You don’t have to be an athlete or a lifelong martial artist to benefit. Forge classes are designed for busy, everyday commuters who just want to feel safer and more prepared.
Curious? Check out our class schedule, pick a day, and sign up for a trial here.
Wondering what to expect on your first day?
Don’t worry—everyone at Forge was new once. We’ve written a quick Beginner’s Guide to Krav Maga at Forge so you know exactly what to wear, how classes work, and how we’ll support you every step of the way.
Your first class is about learning simple, effective techniques and building the mindset to recognize and avoid danger whenever possible.
