Does this story not seem a bit alarmist to anyone else?
The lead out of the story is some lady who got scared by what may or may not have been a toy gun (or even a gun at all). The kid did nothing else and she went on her way, unharmed. The only other thing they list as happening specifically on the trail this year is a robbery and don't mention that it was a cyclist (unless I missed it). The rest of the stats could be anything, from anywhere. 1600 crimes reported within so far of the trail. Does it ride by a bad part of town? Dope street?
I certainly suggest being careful out there, and a heads up where warranted is nothing but good. Creating a problem where there isn't one just goes to increase worry.