longbeachcyclists.com

LBReport.com has an article about a cyclist that was recently mugged (June 2008) on the San Gabriel River Trail.

LBReport.com, which previously reported that a San Gabriel River bike trail rider was assaulted and robbed of his expensive bike over the 2007 Veterans’ Day holiday weekend, has learned of another attack on the popular pathway. 

At about 7:15 p.m. (while the sun was still up) on Friday June 6, 2008, a rider headed northbound on the eastside of the San Gabriel River bikepath says he was allegedly jumped, physically attacked, punched and robbed in the underpass at Carson St. near El Dorado Park and the LB Town Center.

The victim says the assailant took his wallet, and allegedly grabbed his bike…and the victim yelled at him, alerting a rider heading southbound. The second bike rider became a Good Samaritan by telling the mugger to leave the bike alone…and the alleged assailant ran northward up the bike trail, the victim says.

Read the rest of the article here.

Sad as it is, it also points to the larger question of who has the authority over the river trail? If we have issues (such as safety, lighting, emergency access, etc.,), who do we ask? The river trail borders several cities and is under the jurisdiction of different agencies that there is no clear answer (or atleast no single entity will take responsibility).

Anyway, this post isn’t meant to alarm you (the two reported incidents were more than 7 months apart…I think my back alley is more dangerous) or keep you from riding the trail, but do exercise common sense.