Unfortunately, attacks on bicyclists are not uncommon; a brother was struck on the back of the head by a blunt object while riding in Portland recently. He received a severe concussion, woke in the hospital, and doesn't remember the attack. The perpetrator will never be found. More than thirty years ago in Philadelphia, where I rode a bicycle regularly across town to classes and in parks for recreation, a pedestrian once threw a punch at my face, which I dodged; at another time a young man aimed a flying karate kick at my head. Travelling at speed, I leaned into him and hit his solar plexus with my shoulder, knocking him to the ground. I suspect bicycle theft was his motive. I still bicycle but no longer have that degree of athletic ability, and living in the country my only worry is bad drivers.

Eugene Is in no way exceptional for its level of bicycle theft and assaults, in my experience.