Totally correct about it being used for other than biking and walking. It continues to get worse. I only take family bike rides in areas I think are more safe. 

What bothers me most about the whole homeless/vagrant/drug issue is that we as a community tolerate more and more of it every year. Our standards continue to be lowered until we get used to it and find it tolerable to see and read about what we do in and around the city.