2010-03-15 - Attempted bikejacking/mugging, Peckham Rye/Nunhead

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Nah my favourite at the moment has to be "New speed cameras trap Southwark motorists from space!"

I wasn't aware we had a problem with aliens visiting then driving around Dulwich in an untimely manner.

I'm sorry if anyone is offended about this, but the general perception is that the average serious cyclist is built like a streak of piss. Which makes them an easy target in some people's eyes. The AFL-Dudes of this world are pretty rare.

Just what bits of Peckham are you riding through? Not any that I recognise. Like I said before, I've lived and worked in Peckham, Walworth, Camberwell area for many years now- and I teach in a school on a tower block estate in North Peckham. Of course there are areas where I wouldn't hang around on my own after midnight, it's the inner city after all, and of course there are scallys around who swagger about and act tough. And like any other inner city area there are bad things that happen. But I just don't recognise the clockwork orange type scenario you describe-. Believe me, there are plenty of great people, and good things going on in the area. And I'm not naive- I've worked as a detached youth worker on one of the toughest council estates in London in the past so I have no illusions about what some nasty individuals are capable of. But I'd still rather live in South East London than Hampstead. You get a better class of people here.

totally. I feel bad the prescence of people like me (art school type) and the accompanying culture which is spreading and becoming more commercially successful will probably result in the the very people who make this place such a good place to live being pushed out as a result of higher housing prices, fewer cheap amenities etc

All sounds a bit like a lynchin' party in here.

If you feel intimidated by someone the best thing to do is often to suddenly aim your bike at them with a wild and mad cackle. Gibbering helps too, and affecting a nervous twitch.

I often sing while I'm riding, cos it helps my breathing (I have damaged lungs and it helps stop me panting). Someone singing loudly whilst glaring at you with the mad "I'm HIGH on these endorphins, baby - don't fuck with me!" eyes, it seems to freak them right out. NUTTER WARNING!!

My old man was as hard as nails. In fact, my entire family was. Current generation are wimpy by comparison. But I learned at a young age that if you tell people with your attitude/body language, "We may come to blows. I may lose. You WILL get hurt in the process. Like, BADLY." then it does wonders for taking the wind out of their sails.

The best case of that I had was was the guy going "Yeah..? YEAH..?" at me from inside his car, following a difference of opinion. I told him he was clearly having to get himself worked up for this... But I'd been ready for it from five miles ago. So if he wanted to get out of his car, then he should feel free. But the second his foot touched tarmac, I'd be on him. He didn't get out in the end - because he knew I meant what I'd said.

I've been aware of some danger spots on some of my commuting routes. I tend to steer clear of the Pool River, as I've heard accounts of cyclists being attacked along there. Same with the old canal route from Peckham Library up to Burgess Park. I now have another to add to the list: the junction of Herschell Road and Bovill Road in SE23, outside the General Napier (now there's an unspoilt pub for you...).

I'm not altogether surprised, as it's a corner that has, over the years, featured giant cannabis farms, a huge topiary rabbit and a chimney that is deliberately built wonky. Oh, and a trumpet teacher, a cabinet-maker and some lovely restored VW camper vans. In summertime there are usually a number of drinkers outside the Napier and that will presumably help keep the place safe. But on Friday evening at about 7 I was pootling home and decided to take the quieter back streets as I got closer to home. As I approached the junction I became aware of a group of seven or eight youths standing in the entrance to Herschell Road; as I approached (initially intending to turn into that road) they fanned out across the road towards me and I greeted with a sneering "nice bike". I gave the pedals a bit of welly and slipped past them along Bovill Road before they reached me.

Just thought this might be useful for others in the are to know.

So you got away? I hate stories like that - the pre-emptive, violent theft kind.

Good info.

Yep, my spidey senses told me to speed up - at first I wasn't sure if I was going to go for the "ride straight at the bastards yelling like a lunatic" option or the "dodge past them and pretend they don't exist" option. V happy to have taken the latter.

It's hearing stuff like this that makes me wish my d-lock was closer to hand than in my bag.... glad you got away OK

That is just round the corner from me, I shall be careful

When I got in on Friday MrsR asked me if was going to report it to anyone. Tbh I doubt the polis would be remotely interested, and I can't really face the prospect of having to fill in forms or visit the local nick but i suppose I'd feel bad if they get another cyclist because I've not alerted the authorities. Any thoughts?

Contact the local SNT?

Aha, took me a moment to work out what SNT was. I'll look them up.

Edit: now reported to the Crofton Park SNT.

I've reported almost-muggings after I got home and the police were very interested - those youths might well have actual-mugged/assaulted someone recently (as in my case). Police came round took some details, no forms to fill, no visit to the station required. Please do it.

Contact the police - you've got nothing to lose. I didn't with one youth (who held my top tube and threatened to stab me) until a week later. I had it in my head that it was pointless and only reported it in the end as I wrote to my MP about the encounter. This resulted in some CCTV being installed; which I thought was a good result.

The policeman I reported told me even a description of their clothing can be useful as apparently they quite often don't have a huge warderobe to change from and that's can be enough for an ad hoc identification / word.

The SNT have got back to me already, saying they'll be doing some high visibility patrols in the area between 6pm and 8pm. Not sure how much difference that'll make but at least they're trying. Much better response than when I was assaulted by a driver up in town, apparently just for being in the bike advance stop area...

a few summers ago there was a gang of youths loitering in our street giving everyone grief.. so after a couple of days, i thought f@ck this i've have enough, so i walked over to them with my camera and started taking pictures.. needless to stay they all legged it, and never returned in intimidating numbers..

i was however wearing AG2R bib shorts that day just in case things turned badly.. LOL

My bro lives on Herschell Road...I'll pass on the heads up.

I think I was the victim of an attempted bike jacking on Evelyn Street SE8 recently. A group of youths ran out into the bus lane waving their arms trying to get myself and a couple of riders around me to stop.

The idiots chose a bad time as we were all ticking along at 20mph or so and just whizzed past them. They were lucky not to get hurt! As I looked round, the whole group scarpered back onto the estate.

I spoke to local police station but they didn't really seem fussed.

It did cross my mind that they may have wanted help for something but if that was the case they would have banged on the window of one of the cars that was stuck in a jam rather than cheese it.

Someone just tried to bike-jack me on Quorn road in East Dulwich. I was just riding along, not that fast then heard someone sprinting behind me, he was wearing trainers so I didn't hear him until he was just behind me. He must have come out of the estate as I passed him. Luckily, I realised what was going on just before he grabbed me and I accelerated away like I was Chris Hoy (kind of). He muttered something like 'I'll catch you next time' but he was a bit out of breath so I couldn't quite make it out. Seems to be becoming a bit of a worrying trend. Looks like the main roads are the only option after dark. Ride safe boys and girls.

Sorry to hear about that- it gets pretty shitty round that way so not a huge surprise.

Ride faster!

Ouch, close call. Cheers for the heads up!

Glad you got away safe.

Water pistol full of bleach is a good deterrent..........apparently

Thanks guys, yep, from now on I ride like the wind, none of this ambling around enjoying the sights of Peckham.

Crikey, i cycle round that way quite a bit. Despite not being, my bike does look flash. Will be more cautious.

I take that route down from Camberwell Grove to avoid the buses, coaches and lorries on Dog Kennel hill. Someone I knew was killed there by an HGV a couple of years ago so I try to avoid it, and steep descents are not so much fun with the spinny gear I'm running. Spinny gear helped me accelerate quickly though out of trouble this time. I keep wondering what the guy would have done had he reached me. He could have rugby tackled me from where he was, but I suppose he would have hurt himself in the process. I guess his best bet would have been to shove me and knock me off the bike. He would still be on his feet, so would be able to hop on the bike. He wouldn't have had time to get in the toe clips, so I guess some kind of violence to keep me on the ground would have been his best bet. This wasn't a hoodie kid, from the brief glance I chanced once I broke away, he was a pretty athletic guy in his late twenties I'd say. I can't help but feel he targeted me because I was riding a nice(ish) fixed gear bike.