Aug 20 '08 - 397 W, 2 I - Vote Good + 6 :: Bad - 8 More Attacks on the Ballona Creek Bike Path
Published August 20, 2008 by C.I.C.L.E.
Over the years people have written in with reports of being attacked on the Ballona Creek bike path. Luckily, these incidents do not happen daily, but let this recent report serve as a reminder to cyclists (and other path users) to be careful out there.
The account below was submitted to us by one of the cyclists that was attacked on the Ballona Creek bike path near Mar Vista yesterday, August 19, 2008, between 1:00 and 1:30 in the afternoon.
"I was riding west on the BC path at a little after 1pm yesterday, when there was actually fairly heavy traffic on the path. Under the 405 two gang members (this is what the police believe) threw another bike in my path, causing me to crash, and then sprayed me with pepper spray and took my backpack. I rode to the LAPD station on Culver Blvd., despite barely being able to see, and reported the incident since it was clear that there would be more victims. The attackers then used my backpack (which had a heavy On-Guard lock in it as well as several books) to assault at least two other cyclists (and possibly more, according to the detective I spoke with), pulling a knife on one (this is also what the police told me). My backpack was recovered by one of the victims who turned it in and called me. It turns out this is the second time he has been attacked in this manner on the BC path, this first time being left unconscious for nine hours."
--A.P.
While bike paths can be great places to recreate and ride our bikes for long distances uninterrupted by traffic signals and automobile traffic, sometimes they can leave users feeling isolated and vulnerable to incidents such as these.
What are your thoughts? Can the Ballona creek path be made safer for cyclists? Should bike paths be something we continue to spend our transportation dollars on, or should we instead direct these funds into making our city streets more welcoming to cyclists? We’d like to hear your feedback.
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The Ballona Creek bike path should be one of the crown jewels of the Westside. Instead, as these attacks indicate, anyone who rides it is taking their life in their hands. It runs through dangerous gang territory, there’s no police protection and no warning signs to alert unsuspecting cyclists. Personally, I’ll take my chances on the streets.
bikinginla (URL) - August 20 '08 - 22:10
I believe that anywhere one chooses to ride takes chances. However, I would like to believe (again) that one day, cyclists will outnumber gangs. We are a growing population.2wheel addict! - August 21 '08 - 08:35
I don’t think transportation dollars should be used to fund bike path projects. The majority of commuters are better served on improving the city streets, where maybe we take a chance with cars but that’s beats being trapped on an isolated bike path that’s been placed between the LA Cement River and a noisy and polluted freeway with the next exit point 3-4 miles away.Ken P - August 21 '08 - 08:56
I agree we could have more transpo dollars invested in improving streets (the state of the Venice Blvd bike lane is egregious); the fact, though, is that not everybody has the chops to bike safely on streets. I find the assumption that only those of us who can navigate traffic get to ride pretty elitist-Otakugirl (Email) (URL) - August 21 '08 - 18:37
I really enjoy bike paths, but some are in areas that are dicey. I think something like state recs and parks dollars should be used instead of transportation dollars. I think we should focus are attention on the streets, where we are harassed on a daily basis by people who use their cars to intimidate and terrorize cyclists.onoffroad - August 22 '08 - 09:17
I have the same fears riding the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel River trails. I think part of the issue is visibility; a lot of these trails are built along isolated bodies of water and if they were built alongside highways and major streets there would be safety through visibility and the ability of pedestrians/motorists to help out.Felicia Williams (Email) - August 22 '08 - 22:11
I think vulnerability on isolated bike paths is serious issue. Ideally, the resources would be there to provide for some type of security measure(s). But until then, (for me), the basic rules of street smarts apply. Use your best discretion. Just because it’s a bike path doesn’t mean it’s a safe path. If your instincts tell you that riding a particular segment of a bike path isn’t so smart, go with it. You’re probably right, and much better off riding on a city street where there is greater visibility.Shay (Email) - August 25 '08 - 14:45
The Ballona Creek has an area from Inglewood Bl west to Mconnell where there is a brushy area where these creeps hide. If those hiding places were kept cleaner the visibility would help prepare a rider for some kind of escape. If cameras were installed in the under passes it would help too with good monitoring. I do not ride as often on the Inglewood strip as there are broken beer bottles and junk on the path. Sad, our streets need more attention. I am too old to clean the area myself but would be willing to help in some way. unfortunately I am living on S.S. so I can’t be much help financially. I will continue to ride the Bike path and the streets, but always aware of my environment.nancy reed (Email) - October 10 '08 - 09:10