Posted on 09/03/2013 3:17:49 PM PDT by markomalley
The NYPD says thugs are beating and mugging bike riders on a popular Manhattan bike path.
The victim of one attack recently came forward to tell fellow riders to be on guard, CBS 2’s Don Champion reported Tuesday.
The bike path along the Hudson River is popular with New Jersey bikers who take the route and cross the George Washington Bridge to get home at night in the dark.
One victim told Champion he’s always on guard, but was not expecting what he got when he turned one corner.
“It’s a little surreal,” said Keith Cho, who had one eye swollen shut. “It was very traumatic. I’ve never been jumped before.”
A rope mark burned into his neck detailed the reason behind Cho’s newfound sense of insecurity.
“I’ve lived in this area for 35 years and for the first time in my life I feel unsafe to come to this city,” Cho said.
The attack happened on the night of Aug. 24, when he was mugged while riding his bike along the river on what’s called “the Greenway,” near 164th Street in Washington Heights.
It happened after he ran into a rope his attackers put up.
“The rope I saw at the last second, but it was too late. I was already clotheslined,” Cho said.
Moments later, Cho said he was punched with brass knuckles and beaten. The attackers not only ran off with Cho’s bike, but also his cellphone and cash.
He’s not alone. On Thursday, another man was knocked off his bike with a bat – and then beaten and mugged in the same area.
“The lighting is absolutely dismal and in this section you’re in pitch dark and really it’s a criminal’s paradise,” Cho said.
Investigators believe the attacks are connected. What’s even more troubling is that people Champion caught up with say they rarely see police in the area.
“If something happens, no one can see you. You could be there for maybe a couple of days in the brush and no one would find you,” Susan Hurse said.
“It’s scary to think that you can’t come out and ride your bike and have fun without worrying about being mugged,” Susan McMullen added.
Nearly two weeks after his attack, with his wounds still healing, Cho vowed to never bike on that path again at night.
“They could’ve just taken my bike and just went off. I was in no condition to chase them or go after them. I was totally discombobulated,” he said.
The NYPD said it has stepped up patrols in the area. Investigators said they think the attackers could be targeting people with high-end bikes.
Presently, officers only have a vague description of the men, who are described as being in their 20s.
When did "black" become vague?
;)
At about the same time as "They all look alike" went out of fashion.
Welcome to Ybama’s “post racial” America.
Holder’s people are feeling invincible since they have their own in charge now.
This tells you unequivocally and beyond the slightest shadow of a doubt that they are black.
Perhaps now the mayor will finally announce a get-tough policy with regards to rope. Limiting rope purchases to a maximum of two feet at a time would be a good start.
... and, please check the tagline in the post to which you replied ...
He might want to do that anyway, for his own protection.
Please note. I am and have been for over 30 years a bicycle commuter.
Most bicyclist deserve this. They have allied themselves with the hard left in many cases. The left is all about feeling ,morally superior and rather than take the position that automobiles are not going away they majority of bicycle groups have a very anti-car agenda disguised as a pro-environmental issue. They have in many cases alienated the people they should be working with (Drivers)because of a common interest (Each being able to reach their destination) have refused to publicly denounce dangerous practices should as riding fixed gear track bikes that have no brakes on city streets.
Leftist never believe that bad things will happen to them.
Maybe having to ride in fear of thugs ambushing them on trails will make them wake up.
They use trails that they do not really pay for unlike motorist that pay road taxes when they purchase gasoline and then complain about the lack of upkeep and saftey on the trails.
There is a rather easy way to solve this or at least mitigate the problem. Bicycle commuters, including me if i live in that area should have to pay a licensing fee and trail /road/ bike lane tax. They should be regulated like a driver. The infrastructure for this already exist in the state DMV’s. The funds generated would go towards better trail/lane/route and having police patrols in those areas.
This would also integrate the bicycles into the traffic flow better and help to discourage the few (10% - 15%) cyclist that that give the rest a bad name.
Thugs just doing what drivers wish they could do..........LOL!
No “high capacity rope,” either. No cables, towing cord, rough twine ... only velvety smooth rope for kiddie projects.
The only solution is to start shooting them.
“What’s even more troubling is that people Champion caught up with say they rarely see police in the area.”
You left wingers best start realizing that liberal cops in big cities have two major objectives:
1. Get home safe at night.
2. Live to collect their pensions.
They will not risk those primary goals to protect citizens. You’re nothing more than cows who are being milked via taxation to provide comfortable retirements for liberal cops who won’t protect you. If you want protection, elect a conservative mayor who will appoint a conservative police chief who’s not afraid to kick criminal butt and hire police to carry out the task. Until then, take your beatings and act as our canaries in the coal mine, you 70 IQ liberals.
Hmm. Gangs vs. Manhattan cyclists (who are generally the most rude and reckless group in NYC and think they own the streets and the sidewalks
).
No good guys in this fight. I’ll take a page from Sarah Palin, on Syria, and let allah sort it out.
“Presently, officers only have a vague description of the men, who are described as being in their 20s.”
Cowardly, BS report!
I bet the problem is that the ferals don’t have free sodas and skittles at the midnight basketball.
most deserve it, or just 10 or 15%?
My dad grew up in Washington Heights. ‘Course he’d have been 100 last year.
“Men in their 20’s”
That description is both sexist and agist!
Isn’t it funny, you can use ‘gender’ and ‘age’ and that’s NOT profiling. Use ethnicity or race and just watch out!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.