I had an attempted mugging, about a month ago, by the section where the fence is broken. The chap appeared drunk/confused, and I was trying to avoid hitting him, but at the last moment he jumped into my path and shoved me into the fence. I travel with pepper spray attached to my backpack, and easily accessible. Unfortunately I still thought there was something wrong with the guy, and did not try use the spray. I shoved him off me, and tried to cycle on. He shoved me into the fence again, and I managed to push back yet again, on the third shoving I had a lucky break - a bus happened to be travelling along that section, who stopped and started hooting like mad at the guy. The guy stumbled around, and I spotted an opening and high tailed out of there. Only managing to wave my thanks to the bus driver about 50 meters away. I now cycle with a taser, and the pepper spray. If any contact is made with me I will use it, and apologise later if it happens to be a genuine accident.