My thoughts go out to the family and to the local cycling community - it is indeed a horrific tragedy.

I know many less experienced riders like to ride on bike paths because they don't feel comfortable riding on the road. However, don't lull yourself into a sense of safety.
Again, we have a risk issue. Relatively, how many people are attacked on trails vs hit by cars each year? One incident hit us at our very souls, because it is an personal attack, I totally agree. But realistically, is one statistically safer than the other? And please, don't misunderstand, I am not trying to minmize this incident in the LEAST or imply that this woman is a statistic, or anyone else who is a victim of crime or accident.

I agree that nobody should be lulled into a false sense of safety - what we do have to do is decide which risks we are more willing to take on and are more comfortable with.