Take back the bike tomorrow

After a rash of robberies along the Midtown Greenway, area bicyclists plan to unite Saturday with a protest ride in order to reclaim their turf. Minneapolis Bike Love is organizing "Take Back the Greenway," and everyone is invited to join in the ride against crime.

The Star Tribune reports:

Minneapolis police issued a warning Wednesday after several bikers were robbed -- some at knifepoint and one with a gun -- on the popular Midtown Greenway and a connecting route.

[There have been]...about 10 attacks in recent weeks aimed at bikers on the trails. Typically, police said, they involve several men who block the trails and take backpacks, wallets, electronics and purses, but not bikes.

The Southwest Journal adds:

Though numerous robberies - all of which have involved the assault of moving cyclists - were reported in recent months, almost all of them happened east of Interstate 35W.

For November, Minneapolis police only have one incident in the 5th Precinct portion of the Greenway on record, said Crime Prevention Specialist Chelsea Adams. But it's possible some robberies have gone unreported, she said.

Bikers plan to meet at the Greenway entrance near the Calhoun Beach Club apartments at 4 p.m. The ride ends at Grumpy's Bar & Grill downtown.