mattyknacks

for making my first laps in Prospect Park a grand event. Also, thanks to the waitress for commenting on my new spandex shorts!

stevesurf

you guys are the essence of cool



I didn't have it tonight, but I'm glad I puttered along. At least I got some good eats (awesome shrimp burrito)!

henria86

matty steve dave,
any time guys that u want to ride after work no probs... but we have to ride in groups.. in 2 or more.. after the dinner, my bro the cop spoke with me about, alot of bikes have been being robbed, if your riding alone..

jeebusaurousrex

Robbed? While riding PP? I'd think that unless we're there after dark it's too busy for anyone to jump a biker without attracting attention. I also notice cop cars patrolling the park on most evenings.

brooklyncyclist

Sorry for "eavesdropping" on what I now realize was meant to be a personal message, but wanted to share this.

I recall an incident that made headlines about 8 years ago (maybe more?) in which a cyclist in PP was stopped by a couple guys demanding his bike. He resisted, they stabbed him to death. Anyone remember details?

Update: I searched The New York Times online archives. It was June of '93 (how time flies).

"In June, Allyn Winslow, a drama teacher, was shot at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The police arrested four teen-agers who they say killed him after he fought them when they tried to steal his $250 bicycle." The New York Times, January 2, 1994

jeebusaurousrex

Public forum, no worries...Surely PP has much improved since the 90's? I grew up in various sections of Queens, SI, UWS in the 1980s-90s and find that nearly all of the 'bad' neighborhoods are now pretty nice. Even Kissena Park used to be somewhat sketchy. I've been mugged there several times as a teenager. They've since renovated it (including the velodrome) and it's quite a dramatic change.

brooklyncyclist

Yeah, the city overall is far better and safer now than 15 years ago. However, even then when I first read about the attack I was surprised. Obviously I shouldn't have been. And what a huge change for Kissena Park and the velodrome. NYC has a long way to go, but what a long way we've already come, huh? For such a large city we've got some pretty enviable biking opportunities.