Recent robberies along the Pinellas Bike Trail have some cyclists on edge, and police upping patrols.
The trail stays busy, especially when the weather is good for riding. The trail is one of cyclist Jim Woods’ favorite places to head on his bike.
"Love the trail, it's a great run all the way up to Tarpon Springs, I really enjoy it,” he said.
Recently that enjoyment was cut short for several cyclists. St. Petersburg police say there have been three robberies along the trail over the past two weeks.
In two of the cases, victims told police a group of teen boys blocked the path, injuring and robbing cyclists at gunpoint.
This past Sunday, 60-year-old Timothy Young was arrested after police say he forced a woman to give him her bike on the trail.
Some cyclists blame crime in surrounding neighborhoods.
"Whether you're on the street or on the trail, the safety issue isn't only on the trail," said cyclist Joseph Gospel.
Still, police are hesitant to call the stretch of the trail unsafe.
"In the history of the trail, we've had very few incidents over that span of time, and I wouldn't want to call one section of the trail as dangerous," said Mike Puetz, spokesperson for St. Petersburg Police Department.
Police say it's a good idea to ride in groups, always keep your cell phone handy, and keep an eye out for people who look like they might not belong.
"Just try to look ahead and see if anyone's there,” said Woods, “I think it's just something that sometimes comes with any isolated area."
Woods said it won't keep him from continuing to ride the trail.
Police say they're still investigating the robberies they say involved juveniles. Plain-clothes officers have been monitoring the trail.