Late Friday, I received the following email after it had been forwarded a couple of times detailing another attack of a cyclist, David Santor, on the Ballona Creek Bike Trail.  The good news is the LAPD seems to recognize that there’s a real problem on the trail and wants to do something about it.  However, the bad news certainly outweighs the good.

If you’re a regular user of the trail, or would like to ride it for the first time in a group setting, the Livable Street’s Network group "Concerned Cyclists of Ballona Creek" are sponsoring a ride this Saturday.

The following message is posted with the permission of the author:

On Thursday, October 16 at 4:30 P.M., I was doing my normal bike ride on Ballona Creek bike path I
had just gone 23 miles out of 26 and was going about a speed of 19
and 4 hispanic guys about 15 -18 years of age(they had on jeans and
t-shirts some with black T’s and they ambushed me into the rail and I
flew over the rail on the crew side. they started beating me up and
wanted everything I had. I was in shock at first and did not know what
happened. They kept shouting at me in foul language and asked from my
IPod and anything else I had they continued to beat me until I realized
what was happening and I finally shouted 911, 911, 911 and they ran
away.  All they got my $2500 bike.  They wanted other stuff in pockets
but they could not get into my pockets. I could not move much and
stayed down until they left.  It was near the McConnell Ave. entrance
less then a block west near the building.

As
I got up a couple bikers passed me and saw me did not say anything.
 Then another man on bike came and asked to call 911, which I had my
phone on me and started to.  He advised of another couple almost got
injured by guys with a knife, which I do not know his name or there
story, he had left.  A gentleman from the building came out and advised
he called 911 and they were on there way, which I had just gotten thru
as well.  He advised this has been happening in the area recently, he
left.  Another man on a bike saw me and he stayed until the ambulance
got there.

I was praying and thankful that I
was not killed or worst.  The fire department showed up first as I was
laying on the ground, followed by police and ambulance.  They took me
to Brotman Medical Center.  I am thankful for the kindness and care I
was given by emergency and hospital staff.  I have wounds on my arms,
leg and shoulder and broken collar bone and bruised neck, back,
shoulder and lungs.  I will be seeing the orthopedic Monday to
determine if he wants to do surgery. 

The
police officers did tell me that there has been many problems on
Ballona Creek path, because of the housing projects and they have not
caught anyone.  They said they need to do something so this stops
happening.

Thank you all for your kind words
of sympathy.  I would like to help see the right thing happen, so
others will not have to go through what I or others have gone through.
 I will keep you posted on outcome and hopefully see you at event.