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The Greenway has long been a favorite location for muggers, and it's little wonder. The Greenway is a convenient conduit that brings innocent victims directly to criminal actors, in a straight-line tunnel with few or no avenues of escape, in the convenience of their own neighborhoods.

 If you are fortunate enough to be there on the rare occasions when the Minneapolis Police's bike cops are riding by, count yourself fortunate. The rest of the time, you're on your own. Sure, you can call 911 once the damage is done, but when seconds count, the police are only minutes away (that's no dig at the police; we wouldn't want to live in a place with a cop in sight at all times.

I know some bicyclists who avoid the Greenway because of the vulnerability of being trapped. I know another, a Marine who shall remain nameless, who beat the tar out of his assailant (poor victim selection, that was).

Again: you're on your own. If you happen to be a 6' Marine triathelete, and want to take your chances against running into a thug -- or five -- with weapons, just ride and take it as it comes.

If you're not that adept in hand-to-hand, or otherwise don't like your chances, I'd avoid the Greenway, or take steps to make sure you have the tools and training to protect yourself.

 I'd love it if you got that training from me (next class is in two weeks -- see www.mngun.com), but make sure you get it.