Today's Clash With Petty Authority...

**Official complaint: ***** ********

Hello,

I'm writing to formally complain about the behaviour of one of your
security staff, ***** ******.

In addition, I'm interested in the rationale behind a blanket 'no cycling'
policy.

At 10am this morning, in a sparsely populated Malet Place, I was riding my
bike from the DMS Watson Entrance out of the campus, at 5mph (I have a
speedo), with due care and attention, and with 3rd party insurance.

I was apprehended by Mr ****** and a colleague - I didn't get his name,
but he displayed far more professionalism than Mr ******.

I was told, aggressively, to "get off". I refused, asked why there is a
draconian cycling policy, and pointed out that motor vehicles, capable of
inflicting far more damage to students, are allowed to drive on the same
stretch of tarmac. Mr ******'s colleague said there had been a number of
cyclist-pedestrian collisions in the past, and I said I thought they
should target irresponsible cyclists.

I was asked to give my name and show my staff ID, both of which I did
without delay. Mr ****** said I was being "obstructive", and I said he
was the one being obstructive, seeing as he'd moved into my path and was
standing astride my front tyre. He said he was "doing his job", and then
I'll admit I called him a "jobsworth prick".

He then grabbed my jacket, at about chest height, moved in closer whilst
starting to do a throttling maneouvre with my jacket (though backed off a
bit before getting to close to my airway), and said, "I'll fucking
throttle ya!"

I said, "That's assault, I want to see your ID."

He refused, and said (at low volume so as not to alert potential witnesses
other than his colleague), whilst pointing to the exit, "If you wanna come
outside with me and show you my ID and fucking deck ya!"

As a compromise, I then started to shuffle out, standing astride my bike -
as I pointed out to them, this takes up less room than me walking it
alongside, and though I've never had a collision with student during my
time working and studying at UCL, I have had students get tangled up in my
pedals and handlebars whilst walking the bike.

Mr ****** again aggressively shouted "get off!" and pushed me back. I
said I was walking - I wasn't sitting on the saddle or connected to the
pedals.

His colleague then diffused the situation by leading Mr ****** away, as he
appeared to be losing his temper even more, and I was definitely preparing
myself to be assaulted again. I asked for his name again, and he provided
it.

I want a written apology from Mr ******, and assurances that he can
moderate his violent personality in future. If he reacts in that manner,
with so little provocation (especially compared to some of the verbal
attitude that UCL students are capable of dishing out) then I think he is,
ironically, a potential threat to the safety of staff, students, and
visitors. As I mentioned, the principle witness to all this was Mr
******'s colleague, and despite his professionalism and more approachable
manner, I'm well aware that he may turn a blind eye. There may also be
CCTV footage.

Regarding the cycling, I'm still interested in the rationale behind a
blanket ban on riding, particularly if it's within the speed limit, with
due care and attention, and in possession of 3rd party insurance.

Thanks for your attention,

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