Mugging & Attempted Mugging - Paarden Island bike lane (near N1)

[gummibear]

Bicycle Safety SA ‏@bicyclesafetysa

Pic of broken fence where all the muggings are taking place pic.twitter.com/olvAtcpT

 

Edited October 10, 2012 by gummibear

[Reg Lizard]

_{I guess if they can have these "parking officials" standing around everyday doing nothing, surely they'll be able to post someone there (seeing that this is a "hotspot").}

[Tubehunter]

Jeepers, and the missus keeps trying to reasure me that its all fine, clearly it's not at the moment. I'm more worried for her, as she cycles everywhere all the time.

 

Dude, it really is not much of an issue. The key hotspots have been the same hotspots for years as they either have a criminal element in the immediate area or the layout of the surrounding area makes it a prime opportunity for being hassled. This bridge the cycle lane passes under is super quiet, only has pedestrain traffic and the majority are casual laborers heading towards Paarden Eiland. I just feel unsafe cycling along this stretch. There's zero visibility from the N1 directly above you because that's raised.

 

The other key hotspots are Gympie street in Woodstock, at the Main Road intersection. (A gang like crew live in a nearby building and used to cause issue there. It's been quiet for a while there, so not sure if the cops have finally cleared the squatters out!)

 

Princess George Drive has had its fair share of issues, but there's no real reason to be on this stretch of road unless you live in that area.

 

MTB routes near the blockhouse had issues for a long time, but I think the Rangers and Kandui have made some inroads there. Haven't heard of an incident in quite some time.

 

The new hotspot appears to be Tokia and its parking area. Hope that gets sorted effectively and quickly!

Edited October 10, 2012 by Tubehunter

[JGR]

Damm Tube - Gympie street. I dont even drive past there!!

[AdrianDJ]

Just a warning to those guys who use the Bike lanes in Paarden Island (ct)

 

My Uncle was cycling home last night after work at 5:30pm, he spotted a guy standing next to the bike lane just otherside of the tunnel near the N1, the guy was looking in the other direction so he didnt think too much of it.

 

As he got close (+- 30kph) the guy kicked backwards/sideways and knocked him clean off his bike.

 

He stood up and started shouting and the guy pulled a knife out, so my uncle turned around, picked up his bike and decided to fight back (he is about 6 foot 6 and strong as an ox). The attacker had a mate who then appeared but they decided to abort the attack and then casually walked away and through a gap in the nearby fence.

 

Be safe out there guys.

[Steffi]

 

 

Dude, it really is not much of an issue. The key hotspots have been the same hotspots for years as they either have a criminal element in the immediate area or the layout of the surrounding area makes it a prime opportunity for being hassled. This bridge the cycle lane passes under is super quiet, only has pedestrain traffic and the majority are casual laborers heading towards Paarden Eiland. I just feel unsafe cycling along this stretch. There's zero visibility from the N1 directly above you because that's raised.

 

The other key hotspots are Gympie street in Woodstock, at the Main Road intersection. (A gang like crew live in a nearby building and used to cause issue there. It's been quiet for a while there, so not sure if the cops have finally cleared the squatters out!)

 

Princess George Drive has had its fair share of issues, but there's no real reason to be on this stretch of road unless you live in that area.

 

MTB routes near the blockhouse had issues for a long time, but I think the Rangers and Kandui have made some inroads there. Haven't heard of an incident in quite some time.

 

The new hotspot appears to be Tokia and its parking area. Hope that gets sorted effectively and quickly!

 

Im sorry, but it IS an issue even if 1 or 2 people have gotten mugged at that same spot, its unsafe for everyone, its not as though it isnt a "big deal"! Its not "alright" to have people being mugged where its meant to be safe!!

That fence has been like that for a long time now and its about time that it gets fixed!!

[Wannabe]

And that is why you have to cycle with at least Pepper spray on you. I know you don't take a knife into a gunfight, but at least some sort of protection is better than none.

I have the kind that sprays a stream (not mist) up to two meters and has a blue dye in it to mark/stain the agressor. This will at least make ID easier at a later stage if it is necessary.

 

This stuff works, believe me, as I've had the "opportunity" to use it at least once.

[jules1976]

from Tweeta!

 

Helen Zille ‏@helenzille

@cobusleroux @bicyclesafetysa This is very serious. Thanks for letting me know.

 

Impressive

 

lets see what happens !!

[Steffi]

And that is why you have to cycle with at least Pepper spray on you. I know you don't take a knife into a gunfight, but at least some sort of protection is better than none.

I have the kind that sprays a stream (not mist) up to two meters and has a blue dye in it to mark/stain the agressor. This will at least make ID easier at a later stage if it is necessary.

 

This stuff works, believe me, as I've had the "opportunity" to use it at least once.

 

yeah, i cycle with my tazer on me, its a pretty scary looking and sounding thing lol But the problem is I'd have to get within range to use it.

where do you get your pepper spray from and how much do you pay for it?

[Matt]

Hi Hubbers,

 

I've just received an email from a member of the MyCiti Communications team requesting that anyone with further information regarding this incident please send it to them on myciti@capetown.gov.za as they'd like to investigate urgently.

 

I have provided them with this link and will contact those who've posted detailed info.

 

Thanks!

Matt

[Caerus]

And that is why you have to cycle with at least Pepper spray on you. I know you don't take a knife into a gunfight, but at least some sort of protection is better than none.

I have the kind that sprays a stream (not mist) up to two meters and has a blue dye in it to mark/stain the agressor. This will at least make ID easier at a later stage if it is necessary.

 

This stuff works, believe me, as I've had the "opportunity" to use it at least once.

Where did you get this from?

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Where did you get this from?

 

All good security stores stock them.

[RacerX]

And that is why you have to cycle with at least Pepper spray on you. I know you don't take a knife into a gunfight, but at least some sort of protection is better than none.

I have the kind that sprays a stream (not mist) up to two meters and has a blue dye in it to mark/stain the agressor. This will at least make ID easier at a later stage if it is necessary.

 

This stuff works, believe me, as I've had the "opportunity" to use it at least once.

Please post a link to where we can get the stuff you use.

[urbanroyal]

Hi Hubbers,

 

I've just received an email from a member of the MyCiti Communications team requesting that anyone with further information regarding this incident please send it to them on myciti@capetown.gov.za as they'd like to investigate urgently.

 

I have provided them with this link and will contact those who've posted detailed info.

 

Thanks!

Matt

 

Kewl ... :-)

[Tubehunter]

Im sorry, but it IS an issue even if 1 or 2 people have gotten mugged at that same spot, its unsafe for everyone, its not as though it isnt a "big deal"! Its not "alright" to have people being mugged where its meant to be safe!!

That fence has been like that for a long time now and its about time that it gets fixed!!

 

Yes it is an issue where it happens. Certainly it needs to be addressed as a PRIORITY! But to allay Caerus's fears, this part of the comment was made to ensure he knows we do not have a city wide issue with bike jackings, to give him a reason to feel unsafe on his bike when he moves here.

Edited October 10, 2012 by Tubehunter

[Caerus]

All good security stores stock them.

I guess my local security store is not good then, just have not seen the ones that dye the attacker