Senseless attack on commuter biker.

[will dehne]

A coworker in our company was twice attacked on his way to work.
"John" is a long term employee doing miscellaneous tasks in our company for 20 years. John cannot drive a car. He goes by bike in any kind of weather. His apartment is about 5 miles from our company. He bikes on reasonably busy streets through a very low income area. It is totally mixed racially. (So this is not a racial thread. John is Caucasian.) There is a mix of business buildings, low income housings and apartments.
We are frustrated how to help John because he does not want to loose his independence. (I do not blame him.) We could pick him up by car.
I drive through this area for 20 years without any feeling of threat and so do our female employees.
It seems as if someone on a bike is perceived as a target. BTW, they stole his bike and $15 and beat him up. John is a mild mannered, tall man. Does not provoke hostility but IMHO could look like a defenseless person to some sharks out there.

I am posting this because John cannot. Does not have or use a computer.
I think the hardship of such people as John should be publicized and not hidden.
I do NOT have a solution to offer. More police? More lights? Jail the sharks? Give more money to the sharks to get them off the streets? Education? Religion? Street patrols by citizen?
You know of course that John is not an isolated case. I am just very upset in his behalf and all his coworkers.

[Artkansas]

I feel for John. I've also had a bike stolen out from under me. Some times it can't be helped. But it took two gangs, a car and 4 bicycles to get mine.

I think that you have put your finger on the problem pretty accurately.

Not knowing John, I have to take your word, but it sounds like he may be the type to amble along. As you said, he looks like an easy target.

I think for John, perhaps this is the area to work on. I'm guessing that perhaps you might link him up with a club where he could learn a little about cycling more aggressively to pick up his speed and stamina. He might want to take a little martial arts to improve his self confidence on the streets.

You might also want to work at making him a sleeper bike. Say a good solid mountain bike, no shocks, but fenders and street tires. Then give it either a god-awful paint job or paint it flat black and scuff it up a bit. Make it ugly, so no one will want it.

Hope these help some.

[chipcom]

I'll chip in to help him buy a new bike, Will. I think building him a solid sleeper bike is a good idea. It's the Christmas season after all - we may not be able to do much about the neighborhood, but we can help him out in other ways. Maybe a can of mace too!

[Bikepacker67]

John needs a license to carry.

[will dehne]

Again I get good ideas on this forum.
Starting a collection for John's new bike is a good idea.
Getting a not so attractive bike is more difficult but we will give at a roll.
Getting John into a self defense class is IMO a good and practical idea.

Bikepakers idea does not work because of the same reason that John does not drive.

You must realize that I post here under my name. Therefore I must be guarded what I write. The whole world can read on Google by just typing my name. Not that I think that I am important but I do not want to be a target.

[will dehne]

what kinda bike did he have?

I will find out.
Merton, in my position I have to be careful. I did not ask too many question such as what race are the attackers, age, etc.
I know that limits what we can do but we live in a delicate society.
I will determine the stolen bike so we get him a less likely target. Honestly, I think that these people I call sharks steal anything because that is all the know to do.
I am assuming that they are juveniles and in this area they are without jobs or really hope. (I am not a bleeding liberal) In this thing I do agree a bit with the liberal agenda. No excuse for violence!

[Slow Train]

One reason many people give me for not giving up their cars is how defenseless they then feel. Anyway twice in 20 years is doesn't seem to me to be very often for a dubious city neighborhood.

The first thing that comes to mind is to find out how bad the street crime really is. Talk with the local police and ask them if his route is particluarly worse than other possible routes. Furthermore, police often have programs on how to avoid street crime. Perhaps simply moving a few miles in another direction can make a difference.

When riding through a sketchy area it is best to blend in as much as possible. I like your idea of uglifying the bike. I suggest you don't stop there but also uglify John as well! Dress him in street threads not fancy bike clothing. It being winter have him cover up as much as possible so that his race can't easily be discerned.

And get him one of those New York bike chains and have him wrap it around his body. Most petty street criminals are looking for an easy victim not a fight. Mind you - he doesn't have to become Bruce Lee tough - just give the appearance.

Teach him to avoid people as he rides. Don't make eye contact with pedestrians. Ride fast and away from the curb. Ride like the locals and blow all stop signs and lights. Moving targets are harder to hit. And most punks aren't going to chase someone very far.

[some_guy282]

I like Slow Train's post. I was thinking along the same lines. If it is possible to avoid the neighborhood by going a couple of miles in either direction, that is a great idea. His commute is only 5 miles to begin with, so hopefully he wouldn't have to leave too much earlier in order to put in the extra time. I myself will be commuting home at 12AM - 1AM tonight, and to get home I have to travel through some seedy neighborhoods near Harlem and in the South Bronx. Fortunately for me traffic is light at that hour so I don't have to stop much for traffic or even slow down. But stopping is when you're really vulnerable. Is that when John was attacked? Whenever I see that I have to stop at an upcoming light, I always scope out the surrounding corners. If I see a bunch of hoodlums just standing at a corner and "hanging out" (I'm sure you know what I'm talking about if you live in the inner city) I either stop way short of the corner in the middle of the block, or aggressively go through the traffic. Stopping at the end of the block right next to where the hoods are is the last thing I want to do. I'm stopped right there next to them, and I look like an easy target myself. A target of opportunity. If they want to rob me, I'm right there.

Instead of a gun, maybe John can use some pepper spary? Check out these products from Nashbar.

Halt (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=115&subcategory=1130&brand=&sku=1151&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=)

Halt Holder (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=115&subcategory=1130&brand=&sku=1152&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=)

[Bikepacker67]

did not ask too many question such as what race are the attackers, age, etc.
I know that limits what we can do but we live in a delicate society.


What the heck is wrong with identifying the perps by age, sex and race?
Jezzzus.. have we become so flippin' politically correct as to not want to offend the scumbuckets?

[Artkansas]

Teach him to avoid people as he rides. Don't make eye contact with pedestrians.

In general, I've found it better to make eye contact. Avoiding eye contact is a fear routine. Big clue.

A nice hello or a head nod confindently done can break out of target / predator to human to human.

[chipcom]

One reason many people give me for not giving up their cars is how defenseless they then feel. Anyway twice in 20 years is doesn't seem to me to be very often for a dubious city neighborhood.

The first thing that comes to mind is to find out how bad the street crime really is. Talk with the local police and ask them if his route is particluarly worse than other possible routes. Furthermore, police often have programs on how to avoid street crime. Perhaps simply moving a few miles in another direction can make a difference.

When riding through a sketchy area it is best to blend in as much as possible. I like your idea of uglifying the bike. I suggest you don't stop there but also uglify John as well! Dress him in street threads not fancy bike clothing. It being winter have him cover up as much as possible so that his race can't easily be discerned.

And get him one of those New York bike chains and have him wrap it around his body. Most petty street criminals are looking for an easy victim not a fight. Mind you - he doesn't have to become Bruce Lee tough - just give the appearance.

Teach him to avoid people as he rides. Don't make eye contact with pedestrians. Ride fast and away from the curb. Ride like the locals and blow all stop signs and lights. Moving targets are harder to hit. And most punks aren't going to chase someone very far.


Although I agree, from experience, that what you look like can go a long way towards avoiding trouble or becoming a victim, it isn't always that simple. I would imagine all the punks in the neighborhood know this guy and have probably picked on him or made fun of him in the past. Simply repackaging him isn't going to make them think twice, it may even prod them to screw with him more. To change the perception the neighborhood people have about this feller would take some sort of proactive action on his part - like kicking the crap out of one of the punks. That's not something any of us can help him with or should even recommend unless we are willing to go out there and be his teacher and guardian angel for as long as it takes, putting ourselves at risk with him side-by-side.

I'm all for teaching him to ride more agressively too...but again, who's going to teach him and ensure that he learns the skills without getting splatted by a cager? Sometimes it's easier to give advice from afar than actually putting it into practice.

As far as his bike. I think we can get him a nice bike without having to go too far to make it look like a beater. A good frame, stripped of decals with a blah grey primer looking paintjob, fenders, rack, black rims, etc. are probably enough, but with decent components that will give him performance and robustness for commuting. I'm sure Will knows a LBS that can built it and give us a price, then between BF members and his company we could raise the funds to pay the bill.

Edit: We (Will, though any of us could attend too) could present the bike to him in the name of 'Sydney' (using his real name of course), and send a photo and story of the whole deal out to his wife and family - one of her wishes was for us to donate to charities and such, what a better thing to do in his behalf than build a good bike for someone that needs it?

[chipcom]

In general, I've found it better to make eye contact. Avoiding eye contact is a fear routine. Big clue.

A nice hello or a head nod confindently done can break out of target / predator to human to human.

Well that kind of works both ways. Eye contact can also be taken as a challenge. Making eye contact is good if you have no fear and are confident in yourself (and can back it up). If that is not the case, eye contact is best avoided as it will only confirm your fear to the predator.

[zonatandem]

Having emigrated to this country years ago I was walking down an alley in Detroit. Here is was a skinny 60+ pound little kid. Half dozen bigger guys gathered and watched me approach them. They had trouble written all over them. What does a little skinny kid do? Turn and run? Reached into the nearest trash can, found a beer bottle and held it by its neck. Hit the bottle on the steel trashcan so the bottom shattered off and walked toward that bunch. They parted like waving grain; no one wants their face messed up.
Size isn't everything, an 'equalizer' sometimes helps
Moral of the story:
Suggest John at least acts less like a Mr. Milquetoast and more like "oh yeah? Who the hell are you?!"

[nova]

You need to get john some sort of weapon to defend him self with and teach him how to use it. I would say carry pepper spray but also somethign a little more deadly such as a just legal knife and maybe a nice ulock. He could use the lock as both a weapon and a way to secure his bike.

Its sad but some times the only way to protect your self is with near deadly force and in some cases out right deadly force. Your friend needs to show confidence. When confronted he needs to look as mean and imposing as possible with maybe a hint of insanity.


Again attitude goes along long way to stayign safe. If some would be attacker mugger etc thinks you some insane whack job they are far less likly to even aproach you. If they still come up and try something then you need to be ready to meet force with force. That means makeing sure you have some advantage. If thats mace mace them but dont stop their give them a couple swift kicks full force to soft tisue. Say a good hard kick to the gut the upper leg the side of the leg in the calve muscle etc. You can induce extream and debilitating pain with out doing perm damage. That will give you time to get away. I would not stop with simply running off i would find the nearest phone and call the police and have them meet you at the scene. Ride around near the area so you can see them when you see the cops approach then you come up to the scene.

[slvoid]

I have an odd feeling that by the time John's done taking all the advice from this board he'll end up looking like this guy..
http://www.showbizireland.com/images/stars2/oxegen-snoop-1.jpg

I'd recommend another route and trying not to make life difficult for people along your route. I mean, even if he is charles bronson, he's still going to be charles bronson on a bike. Or if he's gonna go all out, try this, every time he's mugged in the neighborhood, a building gets leveled to the ground by a couple bricks of semtex. The criminals oughta catch on after they lose a couple of buildings.

[Blue Order]

Criminals don't own buildings. Except for the white-collar variety, but I rather doubt the white-collar criminals are the ones mugging this guy...on the street.

[chipcom]

Criminals don't own buildings. Except for the white-collar variety, but I rather doubt the white-collar criminals are the ones mugging this guy...on the street.

But the slumlords will surely get the message! (if someone explains it to them...and to me, for that matter)

[Cyclaholic]

But the slumlords will surely get the message! (if someone explains it to them...and to me, for that matter)

Hey Chip, what's different in your avatar today?...... oh, you're not wearing your cap! :p

[chipcom]

Hey Chip, what's different in your avatar today?...... oh, you're not wearing your cap! :p

I took off my Halloween mask, since Euro seemed to want it so badly. ;)

[Dahon.Steve]

When riding through a sketchy area it is best to blend in as much as possible. I like your idea of uglifying the bike. I suggest you don't stop there but also uglify John as well! Dress him in street threads not fancy bike clothing. It being winter have him cover up as much as possible so that his race can't easily be discerned.

And get him one of those New York bike chains and have him wrap it around his body. Most petty street criminals are looking for an easy victim not a fight. Mind you - he doesn't have to become Bruce Lee tough - just give the appearance.

Teach him to avoid people as he rides. Don't make eye contact with pedestrians. Ride fast and away from the curb. Ride like the locals and blow all stop signs and lights. Moving targets are harder to hit. And most punks aren't going to chase someone very far.

I'll add some more since I ride in bad neighborhoods all the time and at night.

1. Wait for Green Lights --- In a high crime neighborhood, I'll time the lights rather than weight for them to become green. If I see a group of kids/men standing in a corner, I'll stop at the middle of the block and wait for the light to go green. Once it turns green (and there are men at the corner), the bike gets shifted to the big chain ring and I power through that corner.

2. Turn off your lights --- A poor cyclist does not use lights and you should too. It's unfortunate that you have to do this but most bad neighborhoods are one to four blocks long where the danger gets really bad. After you pass this point, you can turn them back on.

3. Red Light means YIELD --- In a high crime neighbhood, traffic engineers to protect the motorist, turn the red lights into blinking yellow. It goes without saying that all red lights after dark in a crime neighborhoods must be treated as a yield. There is no way you can play VC when your life is on the line.

4. Laugh or Curse ---- Some people don't know this but if you ride like you're angry or crazy, people will leave you alone. I've tried this when passing by some tough parts and just yell out a four letter word while peddalling hard and it works. They leave me alone.

5. Ride in the middle of the street ---- When you see the men on the sidewalk, you need to take the lane and if possible, ride on the yellow line. I've done this all the time and have ridden on the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street to stay as far from trouble.

6. Kids require an indirect route --- It's a no brainer that when you see a bunch of kids, you need to take another route even if it mean losing time. It's better to lose time than your life. Someone gave this one already so I'll just restate.

7. Don't wear a helmet --- I hate to say this but the helmet gives you away. The cyclist who uses a helmet is not poor and considered wealthy. Take it off until you're past this neighborhood and put it back on later. I don't do this since I follow rules in 1 and 2 and that usually works. But the helmet is a dead giveaway that you don't live in that neighbhood.

[will dehne]

Above posts are well meaning. I am having a problem giving you enough information so you can be of assistance without violating the privacy of John.
Again, John is one of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. He has no mean streak in him. He looks vulnerable. I will try to get him to take self defense classes.
He has no wife. We, our company, are his best friends. He lives in an apartment. He has held a steady job for 20 years which in this town is a miracle by it-selves.

Some of your ideas above can be set to practice. For what it is worth I thank you on behalf of John. Please read my post above again and perhaps you see what I am not willing to state.
We all must work to protect people like John or we got bigger problems.
Someone said above: Only two attacks in 20 years. That is correct but the two attacks are in this one year. Does that mean that things are getting worse?
Clerks in a store got stabbed to death because they tried to stop shoplifting. This week in this town.
I promise to you that I will implement your ideas including getting a new bike for John. I ordered his Foreman to start a collection Today, in my name. We will go from there.

If I could do what I want, John would take Karate or whatever and get brass knuckles, mace, stiletto knife, a gun, gas gun, etc.
Unfortunately John is not likely to hurt a fly. I am not such a nice guy, I would get even (German). But I really feel for John. The world would be better with a lot of John's.

[will dehne]

Although I agree, from experience, that what you look like can go a long way towards avoiding trouble or becoming a victim, it isn't always that simple. I would imagine all the punks in the neighborhood know this guy and have probably picked on him or made fun of him in the past. Simply repackaging him isn't going to make them think twice, it may even prod them to screw with him more. To change the perception the neighborhood people have about this feller would take some sort of proactive action on his part - like kicking the crap out of one of the punks. That's not something any of us can help him with or should even recommend unless we are willing to go out there and be his teacher and guardian angel for as long as it takes, putting ourselves at risk with him side-by-side.

I'm all for teaching him to ride more agressively too...but again, who's going to teach him and ensure that he learns the skills without getting splatted by a cager? Sometimes it's easier to give advice from afar than actually putting it into practice.


Chipcom: You are hitting the spot with this post.
We are not poor and we will help John but I am moved by your comments. Thanks.

[slvoid]

I hate to advocate doing something illegal but how about calling the police with some quick BS everyonce in a while, like,

"There are a bunch of teenagers are x-street corner selling drugs." (Highly likely)
"I just saw someone point a gun at someone and walk down x-street." (Maybe)
"Someone dropped something out of their briefcase on x-street, it was glowing and it melted through the sidewalk" (Unlikely)

But if the police force is stretched thin, that probably won't work. But it might have some effect if there is enough presence but they're all off protecting some affluent area of town.

I would HIGHLY advise AGAINST taking the law into your own hands too. You beat the crap out of 1 or 2 of those punk kids. What makes you think they won't come back with 20 people the next day waiting for John. Or they won't stalk him in a car then run him over?

[CB HI]

On the subject of a helmet, I would suggest he always wear one in the bad areas. Provides good protection in a fight and can be used as a weapon for a head butt or ramming the bad guys chin.

In Johns case, the change of route to a safer one may be the most effective choice, even if longer.

[will dehne]

On the subject of a helmet, I would suggest he always wear one in the bad areas. Provides good protection in a fight and can be used as a weapon for a head butt or ramming the bad guys chin.

In Johns case, the change of route to a safer one may be the most effective choice, even if longer.

This sounds practical for John.
BTW, he did change his route because of the first attack. We will try to help him finding a safer route.
Someone above suggested contacting the cop's. Perhaps they have advise for a better route with more protection, I hope.
Helmet is always a good idea.

[KrisPistofferson]

1.Take a longer, safer route.
2.Take some self defense classes.
3.Carry a cell phone to call the cops.
4.Get a handgun for your handlebar bag or backpack.
5.Carry Pepper Spray.(This is what I do now, although I used to carry a handgun when I used to work late hours and carry a lot of money home with me.)
6.Move to a better neighborhood.

John has a lot of options, and can choose more than one solution. :)

[spandexwarrior]

Getting a not so attractive bike is more difficult but we will give at a roll.

Getting a not so attractive bike difficult? ANY bike can be made unattractive with a little ingenuity. I did research on how to foil bike theives years ago. This is what I found. Messengers are very ingenious when it comes to outwitting thieves and this is one of their tricks (no, I'm not going to suggest a track bike). To make any bike look like sh%t without damaging it, do this: get some car wax and liberally coat the bike with it. Then get crappy, ugly house paint and paint the bike. The wax should ensure ease of removal of the paint later on. The person who tried this, who was an NYC resident, by the way, was quite pleased with how he and his bike were left alone after he disguised his bike. Actually, I have never done this personally, so I can't attest to how easily the paint will come off later. I do know that you can remove oil paint off of shiny painted surfaces with lacquer thinner. This will dull the finish slightly, but not remove the metal paint. What I did to mask my bike was heavily stickering it. No one can tell how nice a ride you have or don't have when it buried under stickers. Stickers also are fun in that they create work for any thief, since he will have to get busy with a hell of a lot of Goo Gone before he can sell the bike. Also, it is easier to give a description of a stickered bike to the police. Furthermore, another trick is putting an old, filthy rag around your seat post, if you've got a seat post which looks nice. I once took acrylic paint (artist's acylic, which comes off rather easy) and painted fake mud/rust on my shiny aluminum brakes. I was having to trek through some bad neighborhoods at the time. Shiny aluminum parts just seem to draw thieves like flies.
YOur story does remind me of what happened to my friend. He was riding, got sideswiped by a car and knocked off his bike. When he yelled at the people who hit him, they got out of the car, beat him up and stole his wallet. They left the bike, though. Prolly because it was a junky Raleigh.

[jamesdenver]

setup a paypal account. i'll chip in a few bucks for a new bike. if he's a good guy like you say, long term employee, independent, (of course he is as an all weather commuter), i'd be happy give a bit to help for a new bike. (or kickboxing classes)

[Poguemahone]

What kind of bike and size frame does he ride? I can perhaps contribute a frame, possibly some other parts if we wanna stick together a beater... enough of the @#$% lying around, get them out of my basement so my next GF thinks I'm only midly obsessive...PM me and we'll a try to put something together.

Once had a couple of thugs try to steal my bike when I was riding it.

Actual conversation:

Thug: "Gimme your bike"

Me: "No"

Thug (confused): "Why?"

Then his buddy hit me over the head, ignoring the fact I was wearing a helmet. Then I picked up the bike and hit one of them with it. Then the denizens of the street came out to see what was happening, and the thugs ran off... I was so glad to be mugged by a pair of Harvard grads...

[Crazy Cyclist]

IMO John needs to be more agressive, and I don't mean in his riding. If someone tried to steal my bike, you can be damn sure I will give the perp a good fight. I will use whatever means I have to ( legal or not ) to defend my property. If that means I have to give the thief a U- lock to the head or introduce his face to the pavement, so be it, he has it coming .

[LittleBigMan]

You must realize that I post here under my name. Therefore I must be guarded what I write. The whole world can read on Google by just typing my name. Not that I think that I am important but I do not want to be a target.
You're right. Who wants their name to be up there for the world to read?

Change your name to an alias. That's exactly why I did.

[slagjumper]

I suspect that the main problem is Rockford.

Here's what I would do.

1) Send John back out with a cool bike. Have him ride in the same area(s) and time(s).
2) Tail him from a distance in a van. Make sure you have mobile phone access and a phone. Make sure that you have a still camera and a video camera. Also John should be wired.

3) Using John as a decoy just follow along and wait. You'd probably catch them in less than a week and your footage might make the national news.

Only trouble is what are you going to do if the idiots belong to the clan or are the son of the police chief or mayor?

[will dehne]

Again I like to thank all of you for your caring comments. You have an effect on what is happening but not all your ideas can be implemented because you cannot know all factors.
Here is what has been done:
1) The company paid and is picking John up by Taxi.
2) Coworkers help out that way also.
3) A new bike, considering your suggestions, is being bought with contributed money.
4) Our Christmas party will be to the benefit of John.
5) His foreman and, sort of mentor, is trying to improve his street wise demeanor.
6) We considered moving John but he is so used to the walk to services in the area that moving will most likely create new problems.
7) We talked to the Police with questionable feelings. It is a high crime area. But not as bad as Chicago inner city.
8) We will keep an eye on John.
9) The German management of this company has been notified, is compassionate and is helping out financially.

[twahl]

Nobody seems to have suggested that someone else take the time to ride to work with John.

[chipcom]

Nobody seems to have suggested that someone else take the time to ride to work with John.

I would, but it would add a few miles to my normal commute. :p

[will dehne]

Nobody seems to have suggested that someone else take the time to ride to work with John.


The sad thing is that this town and most of Illinois is NOT bike friendly. Commuter biking is done only by people who cannot drive. The streets are sort of dangerous in the dark. There is debris. Damaged pavements. Poor lighting. It is one of the lowest income areas in this state.
I am the only recreational biker in this company and in fact I do not know another performance oriented biker nearby. I bike in Wisconsin on trails only, never on streets in Illinois. Not safe. Motorist do not expect you.
Of course I realize that John has to go by bike. But see, he has no choice. Well, he could walk.

[CB HI]

The sad thing is that this town and most of Illinois is NOT bike friendly. Commuter biking is done only by people who cannot drive. The streets are sort of dangerous in the dark. There is debris. Damaged pavements. Poor lighting. It is one of the lowest income areas in this state.
I am the only recreational biker in this company and in fact I do not know another performance oriented biker nearby. I bike in Wisconsin on trails only, never on streets in Illinois. Not safe. Motorist do not expect you.
Of course I realize that John has to go by bike. But see, he has no choice. Well, he could walk.
Sorry Will, (I am not attacking you personally) but this is the wrong place to throw up reasons why bike commuting is too hard or too dangerous. The bike commuters in these forums have heard every excuse several hundred times about the very areas we commute in. We commute in the good areas, bad areas, good roads, some of the worst pot holed roads in the country, in sun shine, in rain, in snow, during the day and in the middle of the night. We have had drivers honk at us, yell at us and even run us off the road. A few have had drivers get out of their car and throw punches. Many have had a bicycle stolen at one time or another.

Given that, it is still statistically safer per trip to travel by bicycle than it is by motor vehicle.

Very few of us have to commute by bike, it is simply our choice. So in many of our minds, if someone really wants to commute by bicycle, then it can be done.

[will dehne]

Sorry Will, (I am not attacking you personally) but this is the wrong place to throw up reasons why bike commuting is too hard or too dangerous. The bike commuters in these forums have heard every excuse several hundred times about the very areas we commute in. We commute in the good areas, bad areas, good roads, some of the worst pot holed roads in the country, in sun shine, in rain, in snow, during the day and in the middle of the night. We have had drivers honk at us, yell at us and even run us off the road. A few have had drivers get out of their car and throw punches. Many have had a bicycle stolen at one time or another.

Given that, it is still statistically safer per trip to travel by bicycle than it is by motor vehicle.

Very few of us have to commute by bike, it is simply our choice. So in many of our minds, if someone really wants to commute by bicycle, then it can be done.

No offense taken.
I agree that we will never have biking on streets of Illinois unless someone bikes in Illinois. I did not think of that. My conservative roots and selfish motives show in that I did not think of that.
Look at my comments as a status report and strike my opinions. :)