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06-24-07, 02:15 PM
That site seems a little oversensationalized and unreliable.
Of the graffiti referenced in those photos, none of it appears to be gang related.
There is one link on there referring to a single incedent from last year. And it is a scary story. However, I would consider how many cyclists have actually been assulted on bike paths relative to the ammount of usage they receive.
I don't know how to tally those stats but after really searching for evidence of violence on the bike paths (due to my own weekly commute on ballona creek) I have only come up with reports of a few isolated incedents over the years. Reletive to a person's safety on the streets of L.A. I think the Bike Paths add up to be pretty safe.
But it is important to consider, because increased usage of the public space actually makes those spaces safer and less desirable to crime elements. If we allow ourselves to be irrationally scared of using the bike paths then we are, in a sense, contributing to the probelm.
I agree to a point, Trickmilla (although, I'm not an expert on what is gang-related graffiti or otherwise). I've ridden SGRT many times (too many to count) over the past three years and there are, at times, characters out there who may be quesionable, not to mention the glass that is broken on the path (and an incident where rocks were piled deliberately across the path). Do I think these are gangs? Not necesarily, but it's necessary for people to know that these issues could exist. There are actually folks out there who are harmless, but as a woman, I would rather be informed before getting on any path - certainly alone. Also, we did have some reports on this forum, I believe, where some riders were robbed on SGRT. We live in a large city, and these elements are there. Riding with someone or in packs is always the safest, IMHO.
Of the graffiti referenced in those photos, none of it appears to be gang related.
There is one link on there referring to a single incedent from last year. And it is a scary story. However, I would consider how many cyclists have actually been assulted on bike paths relative to the ammount of usage they receive.
I don't know how to tally those stats but after really searching for evidence of violence on the bike paths (due to my own weekly commute on ballona creek) I have only come up with reports of a few isolated incedents over the years. Reletive to a person's safety on the streets of L.A. I think the Bike Paths add up to be pretty safe.
But it is important to consider, because increased usage of the public space actually makes those spaces safer and less desirable to crime elements. If we allow ourselves to be irrationally scared of using the bike paths then we are, in a sense, contributing to the probelm.
I agree to a point, Trickmilla (although, I'm not an expert on what is gang-related graffiti or otherwise). I've ridden SGRT many times (too many to count) over the past three years and there are, at times, characters out there who may be quesionable, not to mention the glass that is broken on the path (and an incident where rocks were piled deliberately across the path). Do I think these are gangs? Not necesarily, but it's necessary for people to know that these issues could exist. There are actually folks out there who are harmless, but as a woman, I would rather be informed before getting on any path - certainly alone. Also, we did have some reports on this forum, I believe, where some riders were robbed on SGRT. We live in a large city, and these elements are there. Riding with someone or in packs is always the safest, IMHO.