A male cyclist was beaten yesterday afternoon on the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which connects Union Station to Silver Spring, Md.

A Metropolitan Police Department public information officer told DCist the attack occurred at 5:35 p.m. near Third and S Streets NE. The biker, a white male from Silver Spring, Md., was approached by a suspect who punched him and knocked him off his bicycle.

He was then kicked and punched by 14 additional juveniles, according to police. The biker was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Someone who came upon the biker described the scene on neighborhood listservs. The post was re-published on the Titan of Trinidad:

As I was biking home on the Metropolitan Branch Trail today I came across a biker on the trail near R St NE who was severely beaten. Apparently he was beaten by a fairly large group of African American teenagers that I passed on the trail near the bridge near Florida Avenue. Apparently they beat this biker, a Caucasian male who looked to be in his 50s, for no reason. Cops swarmed the scene and took the man to the hospital, and tried to track down the kids but as far as I know they have not been caught. I share this with you to strongly encourage you to use caution on the trail. This incident occurred in broad daylight and the biker did nothing wrong. I spoke with one of the cops at the scene and he says there are incidents on the trail all the time, day and night. I for one will no longer be using the Metropolitan Branch Trail — please stay safe everyone.

The Post has more from a witness:

The man, who was in his late 30s, was covered with blood, with his left eye swollen shut, when a woman came upon him at Third and R. She said people were gathered around, urging him to remain awake while awaiting an ambulance.

It appeared, the woman said, that he had not been robbed. His bicycle was next to him. She said he was asked whether the attackers had said anything, and he indicated that they had not.

The MBT has seen its fair share of trouble in recent years. An area resident was shot at last year while walking along the trail and many people have been robbed. In March, the Metropolitan Police Department advised residents to not use the trail alone and “be aware.”