https://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3911704.html

Didn't know this was going on. I figured when I saw bunches of youngsters laying and loitering on the bikeway that they were looking for trouble. I get to ride through the area twice a day once while day care is still in and late at night when there is a curfew. Some people need some parentla guidance. Too bad there aren't many parents left.

I like the police asking us to "ride in pairs, carry a cell phone, and avoid loitering adolescents." The other bit that is interesting is there are complaints that there are too many people on the path, WTF. Are we heading to toll gating and limiting?

I think I need to fing a new place to live.

This is yet another reason I avoid bikepaths religiously. I'm sure there would have been a few more witnesses on the road (not to mention better lighting). Even here on the Gold Coast there are some areas that are better avoided after dark. I'm not condoning the assault in any way (the perpetrators, when caught, need a few long years with bubba in a cell somewhere), we should also be ever vigilant in taking responsibility for our own safety.

naisme, I road the commuter trails today. Like you said in another post, I went from Portland down that trail that goes into Hopkins, and I went back downtown via the Cedar Lake trail. I know exactly where that article is talking about. Under those bridges there were little kids hanging out. They were climbing the bridge supports and being loud and generally a nusence. I didn't feel threatened for even a second, but I was going about 20 mph and if anything did happen, I am 25 years old and know martial arts. I don't see how these kids think they can pick on people riding bikes. It is a bike path and bike path only. I am going to start riding the Cedar lake more and I just hope some little hood rat kicks at me, that will be the last time he does it. Maybe if more little pecker heads get assulted by cyclists, they will stop. Just a thought.

The little turdbrains will probably figure out what most bullies eventually run into: they'll pick on the wrong person and end up picking their teeth out from among the pebbles on the ground. It's a dumb, dumb thing to do, too. One of them is going to get beat within an inch of his life, begging for the cyclist or whomever they tried to assault to stop.

We Have a trail here in Snohomish County that has had one murder and 2 rapes on it. So now it is rarely used 2 sheriff deputies even tried to revive its use by patrolling it on their time off. I rode it Yesterday for about 8 miles did not see a soul on it. A lot of transients like to set up housing in the woods surounding it it has been dificult at best to police it. It is Very sad It is as long as the Burke Gillam and has some great wewtland areas. I saw an otter on it the first time I rode it no more than 100' from I-5

Alright, I'm closing this thread as this topic is currently being discussed in another simultaneously. Please feel free to have your say in:

https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-safety/28537-minneapolis-bike-path-hoodlums.html