Cyclists Beware - "Greendale" Alley

[DuncanW]

Sorry to begin another crime related thread but cycling home from work last night down the alley which runs from Champion Hill to Greendale, four kids jumped out at me just by the Wanley Road turn.

One of them lunged at me in a fashion that suggested a knife may have been in play, although I didn't see a blade. The other three were on the opposite side of the alley and one of them made a half-hearted attempt at kicking me.

Although I had initially slowed my speed down seeing these kids in the alley, when I decided they were up to no good I was able to accelerate quite quickly and I think that's what put them off trying harder to physically stop me.

I didn't hang around, but when I reached the road at Greendale, I called the police who attended. I was completely unharmed but I would hate for someone else to have a worse experience than me here.

I will still cycle this way, but just a word of warning to other cyclists using this route to be wary.

Duncan

[StraferJack]

I always hated that road/path

It's the only place in the area where as soon as I'm walking it my spidey senses are tingling. For years I was reassured by another forumite I was dreaming it (no names so let's call them Pl Eibe)

And then as if to confirm that, twice* I had a small group position themselves so as to block me if I carried on walking as per

(well once it happened for sure - I did a pretend face plam as if I had forgotten something and legged it back home. Second time I saw them lurking up ahead well in advance)

[El Pibe]

The fact that the street lamp isn't working there at the moment probably isn't helping matters.

My main concern for that spot is that the builders park up a very tall van which means cyclists don't get any visibility of the nursery gates, especially given the darkness.

However they know there's a nursery there and shouldn't go as fast as they possibly can (yeah it's a hill I get it, try being responsible rather than indulgent though).

My boy has been very nearly hit there and it would be, I have absolutely no doubt, fatal.

[El Pibe]

On Jtrafer Sack's point, I'm sorry this happened Duncan, and I'm aware that there have been a handful of incidents over the years, so usual rules about caution apply really. I've been down the champion hill end to the hursery and back twice a day for four years and not a sniff, but them's the vagaries I guess.

[James Barber]

I've used that route a number of times each week and never had any trouble. But thanks for alrting people to this. And well done for calling the Police immediately. they'll keep an eye on the location which helps in the future.

The new Housing Associaiton blocks on the corner of Wanley with Greendale should hlep that aresa become more observed and secure when it opens in the summer.

[El Pibe]

and getting the lampost fixed?