Sept 25 around 7:15 -- got a text from my husband that he just got away from muggers on his ride home (Hiawatha trail and Greenway). Details to follow, but if you are out tonight, be careful.

Well crap. We were going to be starting trailwatch earlier (7:30 instead of 8:00pm). They should start right at sunset, apparently.

Details:

At about 7:15 p.m. Dale was riding west on the Greenway probably around Garfield (west of Nicollet, not at the Bryant exit yet). It was already dark, and he had a rather bright headlight. Two guys were walking from the west, on the north edge of the westbound bike lane, walking toward the east. One of them stepped into Dale's path -- a black guy in an embroidered cap and a shawl, tall and chunky. The other was all in black. As Dale moved toward the left, thinking he was a careless pedestrian. The other (another tall, chunky black guy) ran toward Dale, who then sped up. The assailant jumped as if to push him over, but hesitated and missed. (Dale was riding a velomobile, which doubtless threw him off). Dale rode to the Bryant exit and called 911. They said they would send out a patrol.

Our guess is that Egg-Bert the velomobile may have saved his life.

I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear this.

We've always looked on Friday nights as being one of the safer nights, as there is usually a lot more traffic out there than on weekday nights. This is the first incident I can recall happening on a Friday or Saturday, but still... We need to do better. I don't know that we will ever be able to keep the Greenway completely crime free (well, really, how could you), but there is work to do.

Should you (or anyone) wish to get involved with the Trail Watch to help keep the Greenway Safe, please check out our WEBSITE, or send us an email at trailwatch <at> midtowngreenway <dot> org.


Gabriel