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I was mugged at gun point for my bike along with my friend. It was 2 people doing the mugging. So dont ever go down Venice between Vermont & Washington past 7pm. It occured around 810pm and yes I did a report already. That was the last picture taken of my bike. I dont have a picture of my friends bike but its a 1972 Varsity Schwinn conversion almost brand new black rims. The back was is a checked *black & white tape* So that means no riding for me for a good long while :(
Fuck it man it happened already just a word of advice to everyone be careful out there because bike thieves have guns now. They left the bolt cutters and upgraded to a 9mm
If you don't want to pack, then don't.
Eventually, knuckleheads like this will pull this on the wrong person and will either be enslaved in someones basement or floating face down in a puddle.
Im surprised that this whole bike theft has elevated to the point where guns are being used. I just found out my friend has stolen at gun point as well 2 days ago
Glue:. responding to a comment by bentstrider
10.13.09 - 12:35 am
long story short my friend and I started riding on the sidewalk. We were going down venice heading west towards normandie. It happened where Loyola HS is located which is between Vermont & Normandie.we were on the side walk our first mistake we were approached by the suspects were told to get off our bikes or that they would shoot us. got off the bikes they told us to start walking away from them not to look at them so we did. That felt like the longest walk of my life not knowing whether they were going to shoot us while we walked away. They were walking towards us heading east on venice when they took our bikes the went west on venice.
Glue:. responding to a comment by marino
10.13.09 - 12:44 am
Yeah my other friend I called him up last night since he lives around that area and told him what had happened. He was all astonished he was like man that happened to me 2 days ago. Yup this bike theft is getting serious
People, you really should ride your bike in the street, esp at night in areas known for bike thefts. You should ride as far away from the sidewalk as possible, more towards the middle of the street. The farther away you are from the sidewalk, the easier it is to spot a potential assailant and avoid altercations by simply pedaling away...remember in this city environment a person in a car would be hard pressed to catch a cyclist who knows what he or she is doing, a person on foot stands no chance.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Know what is in front of you, know what is behind you. Keep an eye on the sidewalks on both sides of the street and other places people could run out from. Watch the people that you do see until you are a safe distance from them. Always have an out. Ride quickly and always look like you know where you are going, even if you don't.
Basically, be paranoid. In a big city like this, you gotta expect that the world is out to get you. As soon as you stop expecting that, something like this happens.
This kind of shit is scary. It really makes me pause and wonder about the risk I am taking by simply riding my bicycle through LA.
The reason we got on the side walk was because traffic was becoming too fast and every car was getting closer to us. We passed a lady & her daughter that were walking the same direction as we were riding. The way i see it if it was our bikes they were going to get it could of been that mother & her daughter but who knows what might of happen problem is it already did
No doubt they just happened to see you two and saw an opportunity. Especially with the bikes you guys were riding, ..no offense...the trendy type.. that will sell fast right now.
It's not your fault in the least. I'm just putting it out there for other people to hopefully learn from what happened to you and do things to prevent this happening to them in the future.
For example, if the street you are on is too busy to safely ride on, find another street..go up a block or down a block. Avoid main streets because they have the most traffic, but stay off of dark, poorly lit streets at night as well.
Some of us have been riding for a long time and we're a bit more comfortable with traffic... but even we get caught in scary situations with cars... Its probably the hardest aspect of promoting cycling in Los Angeles.
Girls have it the worst because of all the harassment from drivers, pedestrians and such. Especially if a girl has a much to be desired look... how the hell can they even get past other cyclist, let alone drivers and such...
now just think about the problem when it comes to theft, robbery, or just flat out taking what isnt yours (on all levels). I'll encourage people to cycle the streets, but its not always fun...
In all honesty, we need to keep the kids sharp, they're the future for cycling in Los Angeles... If you younger guys and girls can do it right, do it smart, and get your peers to join--Los Angeles has a nice future.
But like many of you know-- its dangerous on a number of levels... but we need to keep riding.
md2 responding to a comment by Glue:.
10.13.09 - 1:10 pm
Did you see the gun or did they just threaten you? I mean, the threat itself is worth taking heed, but did you actually see a gun?
Also, I must say it's not workable to tag blocks as "never ride there again," especially main streets - yet I do understand your sentiments following your experience. Stay alert and ride in the street where bikes belong and take the lane. I'm sorry to hear about this, but I'm glad you & your friend didn't get hurt.
I was going to ask the same question.. cuz anyone could say they have a gun, but if they were going to be ballsy enough to shoot you over your bike they would have been ballsy enough to pull it out. Anyways, I ride down Venice all the time, most of the time, by myself, but never at night time... not a very good place to stop and chill especially near the graveyard where you guys were. that's a nono.
Yes they did pull out a gun. He used only one hand to get my bike and then I looked down because I told him why wtf responding to his get off your bike. when i looked down he had taken out his gun. then he raised it and pointed at my friend saying down look at me get off the bike and walk away dont look back or ill shoot you
for some reason that stretch of Venice blvd. between Normandie & Vermont is a grimy place. Heads up when both the lights turn red on Normandie and Vermont, cuz it turn into no mans land.
AIDS66 responding to a comment by Glue:.
10.13.09 - 5:59 pm
Forgot to comment on this yesterday, but I feel for you. Just be thankful you two are ok.
You mentioned that you were on the sidewalk cause the cars weren't giving you room. Did you have rear lights? Did you have GOOD rear lights? I've taken that road many times and the cars aren't that ruthless if they can see you.
I wasn't making the claim they do. I was under the assumption that this happened around the cemetery. Regardless, I think the whole length of Venice is not that bad to ride on. Walking parts of it at night might be a different story.
User1 responding to a comment by steph
10.14.09 - 4:18 pm
It was on Venice St. between Vermont & Normandie yes it was by the cemetery. Closer to normnadie. I messed up by saying Washington. Yes it was a real gun had enough time to look at it and the suspects. I gave a vivid descriptions of the suspects The cops are dealing with that part already The detectives are being helpful and are really looking out for my bike and as well as my friends bike
this is fucking bullshit...who the hell needs to steal a bike a gun point? really. Threatening someones life for a bike...i hope these guys get a STD or ass raped.
My guess would be that their age was from 18-21 From what they were wearing they didnt look like gangsters. both were wearing black hoodies, which covered up their hair if they had any.
We should definitely see about hooking these folks up with some sort of "interim" bike to keep them riding.
Having locks cut is one thing, but getting property snatched at gunpoint is just plain unacceptable.
As for "bait bikes" and catching thieves, guttersnipes like these would be the first people you'd want to see "hood-slammed".
Well that is just so stupid...the worst part is that your bike is probably in the bottom of the river or something. Those idiots probably took it, abused it, and then threw it away. If you dont feel comfortable in your neighborhood anymore get a bulletproof vest to help with your comfort level. I found a great one from http://www.bulletproofjacket4u.com, they had some cool stuff and were very professional with me.
I've ridden that stretch of road a lot - but always in the road. I got mugged a half block from my front door (in Lincoln Heights) when I as shilling on bike too much.
>>>Girls have it the worst because of all the harassment from drivers, pedestrians and such. Especially if a girl has a much to be desired look... how the hell can they even get past other cyclist, let alone drivers and such...<<<
This was very naughty of me and probably only put bad energy into the world which is something I totally oppose, but!
One day I decided to ride out to TOW in a red jersey cotton dress. I decided to take Fountain to Sunset and then take Alameda. Of course, somewhere after going over the 101, some men in a truck decided to yell at me.
So at the next red, I got ahead of all the cars, and took the lane. And decided to just take my sweet red dress time. Did the car behind me honk? Yes, and I responded with a glare, then proceeded to rightfully take my lane until Sunset, my own little slow-moving parade of cars...........
No, you should not do this, but goddamn if some men can't fucking figure shit out. Like, if I were your sister or your daughter or your mother...would you like it if some guy hollered at me? There are respectful and positive and PRODUCTIVE ways to approach women. Yell at me? Well, honey, you are going to have to WAIT for me then.
Anyway....
To the original poster, I am so sorry you had to endure this. Reading your description of "the longest walk of your life" is heartbreaking because NO ONE should ever feel that way.
And those of you saying you'd rather get shot than lose your bike...yeah right. I'd like to see you try it.
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Ridazz Roulette!
I was mugged at gun point for my bike along with my friend. It was 2 people doing the mugging. So dont ever go down Venice between Vermont & Washington past 7pm. It occured around 810pm and yes I did a report already. That was the last picture taken of my bike. I dont have a picture of my friends bike but its a 1972 Varsity Schwinn conversion almost brand new black rims. The back was is a checked *black & white tape* So that means no riding for me for a good long while :( 
as retarded as it sounds, i would get shot over my bike... i mean i dont really have much else!