Fox59: City considers re-writing bike ordinance

Under Indy Parks and Recreation rules, all parks and greenways are closed from dusk to dawn. The city says it's to keep people safe, but others are saying it's doing just the opposite.

The City of Indianapolis recently received top honors for being "bicycle friendly" but some cyclists who rely on the city's greenways to commute say that couldn't be further from the truth and they have tickets to prove it.

Under Indy Parks and Recreation rules, all parks and greenways are closed from dusk to dawn. The city says it's to keep people safe, but others are saying it's doing just the opposite.

Doug Sears of Fishers has been commuting to work using the Monon Trail for the past five years without incident, until last Friday.

"He turned on the top of his lights and told me to pull over and asked what I was doing on here and I just said I'm trying to get to work," recalled Sears.

But according to city ordinance 631-102, doing so before the sun is up is against the law.

"He wrote me a ticket which is pretty hard to believe. For $50."

Over the past couple of weeks, dozens of cyclists have been slapped with a fine, some repeatedly.

"He was bragging about giving 50 something tickets away they day before so it's unbelievable," Sears said.

It might seem unbelievable, but the city Parks and Recreation Department says it's for your own good.

"The guidelines are in place as a public safety measure," says Paula Freund, public information officer.

Still commuters like Jay Church say he feels more at risk being forced to ride in the street.

"I find myself much safer on the Monon than on the streets if I'm going to be out after dark. I do use lights and reflectors but there's still less traffic on the trail than on the roads," said Church.

It's an argument the city has been hearing a lot of these days and is taking into account.

"We have received quite a few calls from cyclists who were ticketed during the hours in which they commute to work and we are working with IMPD and the courts to forgive those tickets," said Freund.

Not only is the city now willing to forgive those tickets, they're looking into re-writing the ordinance to accommodate both commuters and their safety.

"We certainly welcome continued dialogue among cyclists in Indianapolis."

If you received a ticket recently for commuting on the Monon Trail and want to find out how to get it forgiven contact Paula Freund at (317) 327-7035.

Original Article

Quick justice for Monon muggers

From the Indy Star:

2 teens charged in Monon Trail mugging

Marion County prosecutors filed robbery charges today against two Indianapolis teens accused of a daylight mugging on the Monon Trail last week.

Gregory Bloodworth, 19, and Omar Davis, 17, each face one count of Class B felony robbery, which carries a potential penalty of six to 20 years in prison. They are being held in jail on $80,000 bond and are due in Marion Superior Court on Wednesday.

They are accused of attacking Michael Loux, 62, at about 2:30 p.m. Friday as he rode his bicycle south along the Monon Trail near 54th Street. Loux told police that Bloodworth knocked him off his bike and then punched his face about six times, according to a probable cause affidavit. Bloodworth and Davis stole a bank card, a cell phone and $16, the affidavit says.

...

Another bicyclist, David Cirillo, 32, Indianapolis, followed the suspects and gave police their location. Police arrested them quickly.

Full story here.

Opportunistic muggings are one of the lowest forms of cowardice. David Cirillo, on the other hand, rules at life. Thanks to David for being awesome enough to give chase and enable the police to quickly apprehend these guys.

WIBC: Teens Arrested in Monon Attack

By Joe Wambach
7/31/2009


Two teens have been arrested in connection with a robbery and assault on the Monon Trail, north of 54th Street Friday afternoon.

A 62 year old man was riding his bike southbound on the trail when he was attacked and knocked off his bike.

One of the teens struck him repeatedly while the other went through his pockets and bike bag, taking about $16 and the man's cell phone.

Two men witnessed the attack. One called 911 and the other pursued the teens on his bike.

The suspects took off running but police caught up with them in the 5200 block of Crestview.

Property belonging to the victim was found with the suspects.

Police arrested 19 year old Gregory Bloodworth of Indianapolis and a 17 year old male.

WIBC Article

Fox 59: Dog attack on the Monon

Julie Loncich - April 18, 2009

A Central Indiana man is warning others to beware of dogs. The bicyclist says he was chased and nearly bitten by a stray dog while biking on the Monon Trail.
Friday night Shane Carte was just trying to do his part for the environment, biking home on the Monon from IUPUI.

"It was a little unsettling," said Shane Carte. He's traveled this route more times than he can remember, usually without issue. Until his pedals took him to 20th Street -- and Shane saw a pitbull breed in the bushes."I thought nothing of it.Ii was biking past and he started to chase and bear his teeth and bark, so I biked as fast as I could," said Carte. Shane says the dog wouldn't give up. He says it continued to chase him and even tried to bite him a few times. "I had to kick -- and kicked him in the face or the forehead and he finally let up and fell back," said Carte.

Shane was unharmed but unhappy. Afraid the dog would attack someone else, he called the police. IMPD told him to call Animal Control. No answer. He called 911 and was told by a dispatcher they'd "send someone out." While he waited, he warned others. "I just didn't feel like very much was being done to protect anyone, so I felt like I had to stay and warn bikers," said Carte.

Animal Control does conduct street sweeps. In fact, officers say they were out in the area of 20th Street about a month ago. At that time they picked up 2 stray dogs after there were numerous complaints.

Eventually, Shane says a park ranger showed up, but didn't even get out of his car. Shane hopped back on his Schwinn and rode home -- fortunately he was okay, but fearful the next person might not be so lucky.

"I'm frustrated a little bit. I just don't want to see anything happen again. I just didn't feel like they took the issue seriously enough," said Carte.

Animal Control says if you are attacked by a dog on the Monon and are in danger, you should call 9-1-1.

If, on the other hand, you have an experience like Mr. Carte, authorities advise you to call the Mayor's Action Center at 327-4622.


Original Article

Monon Trail: Trail of the Month on Rails-toTrails

from railstotrail.org: With all the hoop legends and speedsters of Indianapolis lore, you might think a trail would have a hard time getting noticed there. But in the heart of Indiana's heartland, one rail-trail stands shoulder-to-shoulder with all of its Hoosier peers: the Monon Trail. You'll hear it praised from coast to coast, and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy just named the pathway to the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.


Click here to read the full article.