In Minneapolis there is a nice bike "highway" that runs where a railroad track used to be. Because of that siting, part of the path is in a nice deep trench, somewhat out of view; good when there were trains there. Now, however, it seems to be providing a nice concealed area for muggers. The link below should go to the story in the local newspaper.

https://www.startribune.com/local/west/35900674.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4OW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUT

One more reason to get fast.

Maaan, that sucks. Be interesting to see what the police do. They bike in the winter? Seem to be only fair weather around here..

-Roger

It's nothing new. Cyclists have been getting mugged/assaulted on the Greenway (and others) as long as they've been available to both parties.

I think, in part, the problem is cyclists are seen as easy targets who won't fight back.

Maybe bring a bike jousting lance along......

A New York Noose with a good Kryptonite lock could be a useful weapon. And it keeps your bike safe when you park it.

That's tough. Self-defense on a bike is tricky, especially if you get knocked off on a blind curve.

The blocking the path tactic is more preventable, if one remains vigilant. Multiple attackers still makes it pretty difficult.

I think a cyclist is at a significant disadvantage and a relatively easy target for muggers esp on a MUP. If you're on a part of the trail far away from the watchful eye of others anything can happen. There was a really bad mugging last year on the Katie Trail in Dallas. Women suffered a broken pelvis. Creep wanted her IPod.

Worst part is that all of us as cyclists know ways that will darn near knock any rider down. Lets hope their criminal minds aren't as sharp.

-R

Sounds like it is time to install your Bayonetz Bar Ends if you bike there.
https://sheldonbrown.com/lirpa.html#bayonetz

Even though it has been 3 1/2 years since I lived in Minneapolis, I knew exactly what you were talking about. I use to commute down 38th across S. Minneapolis and then up Cedar. I never took the Greenway after dark. To me this was a no brainer. Sketchy neighborhood, low visability - a muggers delight. Stick with the well lit, well traveled streets after dark.

Would I be wrong to assume that an easily accessible Uzi would solve this problem?

that's what i do. it's not an uzi, but same principle.

It very well could create a bigger problem when you get charged with homicide . . .. and you could be charged if lethal force was not justified. There was famous case in the early 80's where a man was mugged in a NYC subway and shot the muggers in the back as they fled. He ended up doing jail time. If you are an advocate of carrying a gun, you better know exactly where the law starts and ends concerning this matter.

I recently got one of the nice P7 LED lights from DealExtreme. It's blindingly bright and has a rapid flash mode. I suspect the combination of brightness and flashing might disorient an attacker enough for me to make an escape. Even in my well-lit office if I look into the beam for an instant I have a big blue circle obscuring my vision for quite a while. In someone's eyes that are adapted to the dark, it'd be pretty nasty.

If they keep making LED flashlights brighter, pretty soon they'll start needing warning labels.

Keith

When I lived in Minneapolis, I'd generally avoid the greenway at night. During the day, however, it is much more useful.

A very good point. And, one must be able to remain cool enough under pressure to make an accurate evaluation of the situation, draw and arm one's weapon, and use it appropriately, all in about half a second.

Escape?? That's when you take the oppotunity to whack the slimeball in the head with your U-lock and then lock it around his neck. Then casually ride away...

kung-fu

Consider that the nature of these attacks often involve being knocked off and jumped from behind cover like a bridge abutment inches from the trail.
Bring whatever game you've got, even a fool understands that you won't be able to bring it into play until 3 guys are on you kicking your head and torso. Even cops don't train to deploy their weapons at that point. It's useless. Learn ground escape fighting techniques or turtle.

Guess one needs to watch the route they take. We don't have that problem in East Jabip, but I would be prepared and pack a different form of heat!

Same here. I carry pepper spray. Have'nt had to use it yet, but it's there if I need it. I like that bear spray.

Of course I was kidding. And I wasn't talking about a gun, but rather a small portable automatic weapon that makes a fashion statement at the same time.

Plus bullets could always miss... How about strapping a few pounds of C4 to yourself and your bike? I've always wanted to try my hand at modern art...

Not looking for trouble, I would avoid that area.
If there was a volunteer call to bike patrol the path like
a neighborhood crime watch, I would look into it,
especially if I lived near the area.

I dont suppose the deafening blast from an airzounds might scare an attacker off?