Tuesday’s Fern Ridge bike path assault saga continues with this press release by the Eugene Police Department: (emphasis mine)
Police Seeking Witnesses to Tuesday’s Bike Path Assault
Case No. 10-9171
Eugene Police investigators are seeking any witnesses to a bike path assault that happened on Tuesday, June 8, around 9 a.m. at the Fern Ridge bike path, east of Acorn Park. A 52-year-old bicyclist reported an encounter with two pedestrians in which one of them made deliberate contact with him as he was trying to pass, causing him to crash. He left to get medical attention for his facial injuries, but he said there was a possible witness to the incident. At least two other bicyclists also reported similar encounters in the same general area that morning.
Eugene Police Crime Prevention and Patrol staff have been working with Eugene Parks and Open Space to mitigate tall grass and obstacles. Unusually wet environmental conditions have made it unsafe to use large mowing equipment. A Lane County Sheriff’s Office work crew will be in the area clearing vegetation by hand on Monday, June 14. Bicyclists and pedestrians should be aware of potential congestion during that time.
If anyone witnessed the incident they are asked to help by calling 541.953.9323.
KEZI and the Register-Guard have also picked up the story.
As previously reported by WBE, several people, including myself, had run-ins with these people on Tuesday. The police have the names of the assailants and have ticketed them for menacing (thanks to the work of other cyclists), but do not have direct witnesses of this assault, so it appears that they can go no further.  Since the case is still open, the police are reluctant to release the names of the assailants.
Possibly Related Posts:
- Editorial: 30 days in prison is not enough for killing a cyclist by driving recklessly
- In The News: Eugene cyclists circumnavigate a frozen Russian lake, The Bailey Hill Road Safety Plaza, and the Springfield High Cycling Club to ride Lewis and Clark trail
- In The News: Paul’s BWoL Founder Sues Driver, SmartTrips, New Springfield Bike Paths, PIELC Bike Advocacy, and a Survey for Cycling Women
- Hit-and-run driver sentenced to 7.5 years
- 30th Ave hit-and-run driver convicted
The R-G also published this on Sunday: http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/24897969-41/police-eugene-mclaughlin-incident-path.csp but from their tone it sounds like they think it might have just been an accident. Absolutely not! I look forward to this site becoming large enough that the R-G checks it before writing about bike issues.