Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 21, 2010 at 2:08pm

Some of you might wish for a vengeful ending. The important thing is that the guy was caught QUICKLY and that the cyclist got her bike and purse back. Isn't that what really matters?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on November 21, 2010 at 9:21pm

I wouldn't have disagreed with the police letting her give the guy a hard kick between the legs.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on November 22, 2010 at 1:29am

I don't think there will be much "vengeance" with this violent criminal. He'll probably be out soon (if he hasn't already made bail) and will never serve any time for this crime. Rest assured, his freedom to prey on other people will not be infringed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on November 22, 2010 at 7:50am

I agree. I'd be curious to see what becomes of this. I'm thinking if bail was posted, he won't show up for court.

James Baum said:

I don't think there will be much "vengeance" with this violent criminal. He'll probably be out soon (if he hasn't already made bail) and will never serve any time for this crime. Rest assured, his freedom to prey on other people will not be infringed.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 22, 2010 at 8:24am

There's no guarantee of safety on any route. However, the isolation factor of the lakefront, especially in colder weather when there are fewer people out, can sometimes make it harder to get help if you do run into trouble.

Wherever you are, being aware of your surroundings and doing what you can to avoid problem situations (when possible) can help you stay safer. Riding with a friend (or a few friends) doesn't hurt either, if that's a workable arrangement.

BTW, the incident happened on Friday night, not Sunday. She might have been commuting. I don't know. I heard about this from one of the police officers who was involved in capturing the guy, not from the victim.

H3N3 said:

Are you implying that the streets are safer?
In the past few days we've learned of an attack in the street at Damen and Adams and another at Canal and Lake. That's just the tiny sampling of people posting about their attacks here.
Sometimes you just have to get from A to B-- if we're discussing cyclists who ride primarily for recreational purposes, then sure, there are more choices you can make-- but I don't think we are.


Eric Vann said:

I'm a guy and I'm not brave enough to ride the Lakefront Path that late at night. I can only assume she was heading home from work? But since it was a Sunday night that might not have been the case. Can you safely assume that being out so late on that particular trail is the right thing to do? I suppose that even the streets are no guarantee of safety either since you have to deal with automobiles.

On college campuses they use the "buddy system" late at night. Is there a cyclist equivalent?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Liz on November 22, 2010 at 8:44am

I think his suggestion has to do with when the weather gets colder, there are fewer riders on the path, meaning that if something happens to you, it may be some time before anyone willing/able to help can stop, simply riding on "busy" streets with regular traffic could mean that if you are less likely to be attacked in an area where traffic would be directly impeded by such an attack. The person who was attacked on Damen discussed how once traffic approached the incident the group attacking ran off. There are many poorly lit places along the lakefront path where someone could hide, waiting for a cyclist or runner to pass. A well lit street with regular traffic may be a better alternative. I think the general caution should be to ride on well lit and regularly trafficed streets and/or ride in groups.

H3N3 said:

Are you implying that the streets are safer?
In the past few days we've learned of an attack in the street at Damen and Adams and another at Canal and Lake. That's just the tiny sampling of people posting about their attacks here.
Sometimes you just have to get from A to B-- if we're discussing cyclists who ride primarily for recreational purposes, then sure, there are more choices you can make-- but I don't think we are.


Eric Vann said:

I'm a guy and I'm not brave enough to ride the Lakefront Path that late at night. I can only assume she was heading home from work? But since it was a Sunday night that might not have been the case. Can you safely assume that being out so late on that particular trail is the right thing to do? I suppose that even the streets are no guarantee of safety either since you have to deal with automobiles.

On college campuses they use the "buddy system" late at night. Is there a cyclist equivalent?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 22, 2010 at 9:24am

It's unfortunate that we have to make these choices. In an ideal world, the lakefront path would be safe at any hour on any day. Too bad that's not the real world.

There are sections of the path that are quite dark at night, and where shrubs close to the path can provide hiding places for criminals. It's easier for them to strike at times when there are fewer witnesses around. Being able to see what's ahead and alter course if needed can keep you safer.

There are some streets I avoid at night for the same reasons - lack of light, lack of clear sightlines, lack of witnesses, and/or poor street conditions that cause me to slow down enough to be an easier target. In deserted places, I usually prefer to go faster and keep moving so I can avoid unwanted surprises. A familiar route with good pavement can offer advantages - knowing the intersections ahead, businesses that might be open, friends' places, police stations, etc. - information you can use to figure out your options in case of an emergency situation.

Eric Vann said:

It's a sad thing that we even have to choose between riding dangerous streets and paths. I'd prefer a world where you could walk, run, bicycle or even picnic along the Lakefront to your hearts content.

... Now that the trail is less populous I'm moving my trail riding to an earlier hour to avoid having to end it in the dark. It just seems safer to me.

Oddly enough using a moderately bright light at night makes you a better target for the "bad guys". They can see you from a distance but if you don't have a blazingly bright light you can't detect them in the shadows. And let's be honest, the theft of a bike (essentially a mugging) is not the worst case scenario here. Rape and even death are alternatives I would hardly want to contemplate.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on November 22, 2010 at 10:28am

It's good to be cautious, but let's not forget that the odds of some creep jumping out from behind a bush/parked car are vanishingly low. Both the streets and the lakefront are quite safe.

• ▶ Reply