This morning's commute and other commuting stories

happy hashtag cycle to work day! - it was actually quite a nice morning for a change where i am, hoping to dodge the rain on the way home

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Was enjoying my commute today going through Covent Garden when another cyclist (lycra, racing, head down) totally ignored a clearly marked junction and rammed straight into me. Damage to bike and to me, plus a lost days work for A and E visit. 20 years ago I used to wish for more cyclists in London but now too many incompetent, unsafe, selfish riders making us all look like cunts.

ah no, that's shit. hope you're not too banged up and your bike isn't too badly damaged.

Thanks! Ribs aching like fuck but in one piece. Silver lining - I got to spend time on Croydon A and E.

Your commute looks so much nicer than mine. Where is this?

Just got chased down The Cut by two e-motorbikes trying to steal my bike. Got away fine, but anyone riding around Waterloo / London bridge today be aware of balaclava'd kids on e-motors

Fuck.

Fuck. You alright?
They obviously didn't realise they were messing with an absolute hitter

Blimey, sounds shit, hope you're ok

Scary shit

nah, was totally fine really. Saw them coming towards me and thought they're up to no good but didn't really clock it until one of them honked passing me and they both spun round. So started sprinting, saw a police car and rode towards that then they turned around and sped off. Probably about 15 seconds in total but looked exactly like the Richmond Park ones. Super surprised at it happening at 10.30am on a weekday on a main road in central.

So lucky you got away unharmed but scary at the same time. They probably don't give a shit now since they can't be approached by police.

15sec power PB?

Fuck. Ride through there all the times!

I have seen some balaclava'd kids on e-bikes before that looked like up to no good, never thought they'd go for it there in the middle of the day.

Things are really getting out of hand, the whole Lea Bridge area is quite a hotspot at the moment.

not even. In panic I was looking for curbs / stairs to go up or down.

Might sound stupid but if it's busy I'd advise to stay on the bike in the road. For some reason I thought heading down a side street would be a good idea, but of course it wouldn't

Did you have your phone on your handlebars? Seen a few tales of those being snatched in similar circumstances.

nah, was on my race bike

nice race bike? my office is pretty near, a colleague saw a ped get robbed on southwark street of their phone, there's definitely activity

I have seen some balaclava'd kids on e-bikes before that looked like up to no good, never thought they'd go for it there in the middle of the day.

I've seen kids with balaclavas on a few times during the day. Every single time, theyve stolen a phone or bike shortly after. Definitely worth putting your phone in your pocket if you see them about

between loughborough and Leicester.
I'm pretty lucky in that I can ride probably 50% of my commute on quiet shared use paths along a canal and through a country park.

there have also been a few bike muggings along that route as well though, similar m.o. to what @fredtc described so it's not just London's London. the scrotes are everywhere.

I saw three lads at the local shops last weekend, broad daylight, attempting to steal an e-scooter. they arrived balaclava'd up on two MTBs and had a big pair of bolt croppers. luckily someone drove towards them and leant on their horn and they buggered off towards the local estate.

Sounds like the wild west down there.

I realise that bike theft has been decriminalised across the UK but I'm yet to hear of instances of face to face attack for bicycles up in Scotland. I'm sure its happened or is at least on its way.

Bike theft is probably quite a legitimate career path at this point. I actually think I'd be pretty good at it.

Morning all - saw three balaclava'd lads on Q1 approaching the back path at Bermondsey station (passing the den around 8:30am?). Two on black ebikes, one being towed on an e scooter. They looked my bike up and down and deemed it unworthy but they were 100% out to steal.

WATCH OUT!

Police checkpoint on Blackfriars bridge. Police stopping cars and pedestrians. Not sure why, quite odd to see

Police checkpoint on Blackfriars bridge. Police stopping cars and pedestrians. Not sure why, quite odd to see

edit: wrong place..
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/389116/ :(

Battersea ≠ Blackfriars