Northern California - ARBT and Safety

At the risk of being banally newbish, what's the deal with safety on the ARBT? I ask because I just recently moved to CA and I feel like my DC-metro street smarts aren't translating well over here. Additionally, the family I have from here have tried pretty hard to discourage me from riding the sections of the trail around Northgate, Del Paso, et al. I've felt at times that some parts of the trail were dicier than others but I haven't encountered anything that screams out to me to avoid at all costs. Is there something I'm missing? For example, am I going to be riding through gang territory? All I can dig up in a quick Google search is the robbery of the elderly couple and the attacked cyclist.

I've never had any problems, but I don't think I'd ride through those areas at night. Just be alert, be wary and don't act like a victim. If you get the sense that you're riding into trouble, turn around and head back the other way. It's not the slums of Sao Paolo, but it does have it's moments periodically. That works pretty much everywhere in the world that I've been.

I've only ridden the part of ARBT near Folsom and Granite Bay. Seems pretty safe to me. Parts of Del Paso and Northgate are scary though. Not the ARBT there but the areas themselves. Drive out there and see for yourself.

At the risk of being banally newbish, what's the deal with safety on the ARBT? I ask because I just recently moved to CA and I feel like my DC-metro street smarts aren't translating well over here. Additionally, the family I have from here have tried pretty hard to discourage me from riding the sections of the trail around Northgate, Del Paso, et al. I've felt at times that some parts of the trail were dicier than others but I haven't encountered anything that screams out to me to avoid at all costs. Is there something I'm missing? For example, am I going to be riding through gang territory? All I can dig up in a quick Google search is the robbery of the elderly couple and the attacked cyclist.

Is your family in Davis? That could be the issue-Davis is very different from Del Paso. I've ridden the ARBT without problem on numerous times but not at night. On weekends, I've taken my son's boy scout troop through that area with no issues at all.

I'd be more concerned with riding on Capitol in West Sac. That's a bit more dicey than the ARBT, but once again, never had problems during the day.

The stretch from Discovery Park to Cal Expo has a lot of homeless people. I've never had any problems going through there though. The North Bike Trail that connects to the ARBT (between Northgate and Del Paso) is another story. I've ridden through it and it's not a great area. I've heard of muggings/etc in that area too. I hauled through there (starting in Rio Linda).

I've ridden the Northgate and Del Paso areas many times, almost always solo. Never had a problem. I've seen a lot of shady looking people, but in my experience, saying hi usually gets you a friendly and surprised hi back. Or I just stare them down a bit as I pass.

I've ridden the Northgate and Del Paso areas many times, almost always solo. Never had a problem. I've seen a lot of shady looking people, but in my experience, saying hi usually gets you a friendly and surprised hi back. Or I just stare them down a bit as I pass.

+1 :thumb: My experience as well.

A few months ago the city rooted out most of the homeless population that was living near the railroad tracks (private property) and many of them migrated to the ARBT in that part of town.

The ARBT has been around for a long time. Overall, there isn't too much crime on it.

You can scout out that area of the trail when with someone else and decide if you want to do it solo.

Is your family in Davis? That could be the issue-Davis is very different from Del Paso. I've ridden the ARBT without problem on numerous times but not at night. On weekends, I've taken my son's boy scout troop through that area with no issues at all.

I'd be more concerned with riding on Capitol in West Sac. That's a bit more dicey than the ARBT, but once again, never had problems during the day.

They actually live right off the ARBT in Carmichael and even go down to the park there fairly often. Looking at my saturday ride's route on the ARBT map, I bypassed Del Paso anyway by cutting through Sac on H and getting on the trail at Sac State. I'm pretty big on city riding so this really works out. I feel pretty comfortable on West Capitol so thats good to know thats the worst of my worries.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I think this confirms my perception of the trail's safety. Just had to make sure I wasn't being naive.

They actually live right off the ARBT in Carmichael and even go down to the park there fairly often. Looking at my saturday ride's route on the ARBT map, I bypassed Del Paso anyway by cutting through Sac on H and getting on the trail at Sac State. I'm pretty big on city riding so this really works out. I feel pretty comfortable on West Capitol so thats good to know thats the worst of my worries.


I think you are doing the right thing, and I would give a +1 to Rydaddy's comments. I used to commute daily from Fair Oaks through the Del Paso area and got scared a few times. Now I just get off at Sac State and use M St. to ride downtown. The rest of the trail is fine.

I'm on that part of the trail most mornings. Like today, for instance. The squirrels and turkeys crossing the path are a bigger threat to your personal safety than the humans.

There have been quiet a few incidents lately. One where some kids hit a cyclist with a bike and another where a homeless man attacked a cyclist.

However, I've always been more concerned with hitting something on the trail and crashing. Especially since a friend of mine had an accident that resulted in doing just that and breaking her arm.

That being said, I'd never ride it alone.

i belive that the trail its self is fairly safe ....out side that may become a bit dicy
night cycling is a hole another ball game though as "the freeks come out at night" this is when you get to druken night owles and the homeless start to find a place to sleep


i believe that the squirrels and deer have created gangs though so you might watch out for them there some kamikaze squirrels out :troll::injured:

Anyone happen to see the Bee article today (http://www.sacbee.com/livinghere/story/2269657.html)? Yikes. Two dozen riders doing a group training ride on the ARBT?!?

That just sounds sketchy as hell.

The Recumbent Riders of Sacramento do night rides there, and there's a scheduled moonlight ride every month. Their board lists skunks as a definite thing to watch out for at night.