Assaulted on my ride yesterday

[rich c]

Not exactly eBike related, but I was riding. I heard two gas motor somethings coming up quickly behind me while I was riding a multiuser paved trail about 2:00pm yesterday. As the first pulls up next to me, I see it's a dirt bike motorcycle and the passenger slaps me on my back just above the waist on my right side. The second dirt bike comes up and the passenger slaps me in the back of the head on my helmet. They speed off, laughing their heads off. Luckily I maintain control, stop, and call 911. Three police vehicles show up and they search my neighborhood with no luck. I was within 1 1/4 miles of home. The officers took my picture and the red hand shaped mark on my back. Just shook me to my bones! Could have been a baseball bat, knife, or worse! The mark is lighter color on my back today, but sure it will turn into a bruise. Peoria, IL ranks really high in the United States for crime per capita, now it came to me. Ruined my day and probably will be paranoid for a while. Damned hoodlum teenagers!

 

[J.R.]

You hear on the news all the time about kids on dirt bikes in cities. Apparently they ride 2 up and rob people of whatever they have, cars; bikes; purse; shopping. Some victims really get hurt, glad you are mostly intact. I'd be really paranoid, head on a swivel. We shouldn't have to live with that. A lot of cities aren't even doing anything about the dirt bikes. Very sad story.

 

[fooferdoggie]

We have been getting a lot more gar powered vehicles on the bike paths. even motorcycles lately. even cars.

 

[6zfshdb]

I had a similar assault incident a couple of years ago which didn't involve a motor vehicle but it was scary none the less. I was riding the Carpendale Trail in MD. and was approaching the entrance to the Knobley Tunnel. Suddenly, a group of thugs came out of nowhere and blocked my path. I learned later this had become a favorite spot for druggies to get high and sometimes ambush trail users. I decided it would be safer to try and get through instead of stopping to confront the group so I sped up.
One of them grabbed me and tried to pull me from the bike as I passed but he was so stoned, he lost his grip and fell on his face. The others were so high they just stood there laughing! I went through the tunnel and met an older gentleman who I warned of the thugs. He said it was a common occurrence lately and that I should call the police which I did. The cops took the report but said there was little they could do. Not very encouraging.

I avoided that section of trail for two years but finally decided to return this past spring since it's such a scenic location. I found the trail had been closed and the tunnel entrance barricaded, likely due to this drug related activity.

I now pay far more attention to my surroundings and the locations I choose to ride. It's a real shame things have to be this way.

 

[J.R.]

I had a similar assault incident a couple of years ago which didn't involve a motor vehicle but it was scary none the less. I was riding the Carpendale Trail in MD. and was approaching the entrance to the Knobley Tunnel. Suddenly, a group of thugs came out of nowhere and blocked my path. I learned later this had become a favorite spot for druggies to get high and sometimes ambush trail users. I decided it would be safer to try and get through instead of stopping to confront the group so I sped up.
One of them grabbed me and tried to pull me from the bike as I passed but he was so stoned, he lost his grip and fell on his face. The others were so high they just stood there laughing! I went through the tunnel and met an older gentleman who I warned of the thugs. He said it was a common occurrence lately and that I should call the police which I did. The cops took the report but said there was little they could do. Not very encouraging.

I avoided that section of trail for two years but finally decided to return this past spring since it's such a scenic location. I found the trail had been closed and the tunnel entrance barricaded, likely due to this drug related activity.

I now pay far more attention to my surroundings and the locations I choose to ride. It's a real shame things have to be this way.

The trail/tunnel are temporarily closed to move a sewer line. It will be reopened.

Carpendale working on reducing sewer costs

CARPENDALE, W.Va. (WV News) – Adjustments to the pump station helped to reduce Carpendale’s waste treatment costs, as over 2 million gallons were sent to Cumberland in early summer.

www.wvnews.com

 

[6zfshdb]

The trail/tunnel are temporarily closed to move a sewer line. It will be reopened.

Carpendale working on reducing sewer costs

CARPENDALE, W.Va. (WV News) – Adjustments to the pump station helped to reduce Carpendale’s waste treatment costs, as over 2 million gallons were sent to Cumberland in early summer.

www.wvnews.com

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

The Carpendale is a short trail but the Knobley Tunnel is interesting. It also makes a convenient loop ride from the C&O back to Cumberland.

 

[dodgeman]

I live not far from you outside of Macomb. I’ve always gotten a bad vibe in certain parts of Peoria, glad to hear your ok and didn’t have a wreck.

 

[rich c]

I live not far from you outside of Macomb. I’ve always gotten a bad vibe in certain parts of Peoria, glad to hear your ok and didn’t have a wreck.

We've lived in our home for 45 years. We've definitely seen some degradation near us, mainly caused by investors and more home rentals. When the police installed the shot spotter system at the neighborhood school, I knew things were not improving!