How the NYC Terrorist Turned Scenic Bike Path Into a War Zone, and How to Avoid a Similar Attack

Following the terror attack on a New York City bike path Tuesday, these tips may save your life if you find yourself in a similar situation.

Riding along the bike path that was the scene of the Halloween strike, the deadliest in New York City since 9/11, it is not difficult to see how vulnerable cyclists can be from a truck attack. 

FBI officials say the attack followed the instructions put out some time ago by ISIS “to a T.” The terrorist took advantage of the openness of New York's West Side where a popular bike path runs along the Hudson River.

Former NYPD Officer Bill Stanton told Inside Edition what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation. 

Stanton called it "situational awareness" and says you want to put a barrier between yourself and the bike. Get off the bike and drop it in front of what is coming at you and run away.

He added that you should then run toward barriers and places to shelter and create a blockade between you and whatever danger may come. 

The bike path extends for 11 miles along the West Side of Manhattan.

The nightmare erupted on a sunny autumn afternoon, as so many kids were being let out of school and looking forward to a night of trick-or-treating.

The attack began when the killer turned his rented Home Depot truck onto the bike path and drove south. He roared down the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway at 40 miles an hour, leaving a trail of bodies and crushed bikes that stretched for 17 blocks. 

His truck came to a halt in Tribeca after he deliberately rammed a school bus with kids on board.

Eight people were killed in the attack.