Today's Clash With Petty Authority...

Much as I like the sentiment, I don't think it would 'further the cause'. And I don't know what time his shifts ends.

If I don't get a fucking apology by the end of the month though, I may change my mind...

Good to have you back Scarlet. Little chance of these guys backing down and supplying an apology so.......... start organising the warm-up ride for Kingspin.
BMMF leads entire forum to UCL for a 'walk through' 30/1

i assume you have contacted your union & or the principal / chancellor

what a cock.

good effort BMMF, it's obv important so that this lil' jobsworth get's the idea that the world also involves people who think for themselves.

though he'll probably go home and beat his wife/kids tonight....

I have nothing to add but to agree with the general chorus of "what a knobgoblin" and "top letter!".

You were both out of order, should've apologised for riding your bike and lobby ucl to change their ruling, he was doing his job?

Yeah he was probably a frustrated, aggressive wanker, but he now hates cyclists even more and will potentially become more of a problem in the future?

good letter-hope you get the response/result you deserve.

You were both out of order, should've apologised for riding your bike and lobby ucl to change their ruling, he was doing his job?

Yeah he was probably a frustrated, aggressive wanker, but he now hates cyclists even more and will potentially become more of a problem in the future?

I did say at one point, "I'm sorry, but I disagree with the rule" - so that's an apology of sorts (!) and it would be very easy to miss the 7" single sized 'no cycling' sign tucked away in a corner. It's not his job to aggressively intercept anyone, and if it is, why doesn't he spend his time doing it to the motor vehicles that break the 5mph speed limit on a regular basis?

I don't personally think his attitude could get any worse - towards cyclists or anyone else. I've since heard a lot of stories about his behaviour at other times, and being a psycho is apparently deeply ingrained.

I will be writing to the union/provost if there's no satisfactory feedback. Admittedly, the speculated size of his penis may have little to do with his attitude, and unfortunately it's more likely a result of being treated in a similar way by his own father, and on that note, regarding what Fred said, I sincerely hope there's no wife/kid to take out today's frustrations on; and according to the grapevine, every other day's frustrations.

Obviously I won't be beating up my wife or kid, as I can just log in at lfgss and start calling everyone a cunt instead :D

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 think the trouble with Mr ******, he doesn't know what irresponsible cycling is.
He's probably not even a cyclist hater, he just doesn't ride... and know there's a massive line between cycling like a complete cock and 5mhp down a ped street.

nice letter though.

I can certainly volunteer my services if the protest was to take place ;)

trouble is, you disobey a campus rules, just because the driver break the 5mph limited doesn't mean you're allowed to make a point by disobeying the rules.

having said that, the authority is out of line.

trouble is, you disobey a campus rules, just because the driver break the 5mph limited doesn't mean you're allowed to make a point by disobeying the rules.

having said that, the authority is out of line.

Yes, I agree, but:

i) If he'd opened the exchange in a more approachable manner, I would've been less reluctant to comply.

ii) Call me old fashioned, but I don't accept rules for the sake of it, and believe they should be questioned/challenged, mostly in writing or formalised debate, but at times via direct action/resistance.

And if I'd been unaware of the virtually subliminal signage, and had been making an honest mistake, his introductory behaviour would've been even more inappropriate - and as far as he was concerned, this could've been the case.

+1. Guidance versus blind obedience

+1 Bring, Spirit of the rule is more important than the rule it's self.

I am one of these "jobsworth pricks" that you so merrily refer to. However, the difference is that it is my chosen profession (the security industry), and I know the merits of good security AND good customer services.

I would recommend asking for access to any CCTV coverage of the area in which you were verbally set-upon.....to back up your complaint. The aggressive body language from the security officer, as well as his assault on you, would be easily established. This should unnerve the poor chap's bosses enough to remove him forthwith from working on that site. He would deserve that, as he clearly doesn't know how to treat people.

Sadly, at the lower levels in the security industry, most staff are just plain scared for their jobs, and follow whatever directions they are given - even if they are patently wrong. Your action may well signal a review of cycling policy there.

Thanks for the input, GA2G.

BTW, I never called you a jobsworth prick, or insinuated that all security staff are. He, and he alone in this situation, was being one. It's a state of mind not restricted to any one profession. Just to clarify, like :)

I reckon it all started when his parents named him Mr ******.

I mean, imagine going through school being called the asterisk kid and such? Poor bastard.
BMMF, you should be ashamed.

Now, find out where he lives and we can shitbomb his house.

Three points to make.

"Jobsworth" was, if not devised by esther Ranzen, at least popularised by her. It is a term, accordingly to avoid.

Mr****** was probably known as "six-star" by his mates which is not a bad term of endearment.

As a graduate of UCL I am tempted to return my degree certificate in protest at this absurd behaviour. Sadly my wife binned it years ago with just about everything I owned pre-marriage.

You didn't 'grauate' in English then I take it, Clive?

Andy

Certainly not in typing. So long ago, not sure what it was and am sure that whatever it was, it's all changed since then.

One benefit of studying Philosophy for your degree is that it's unlikely to go out of date.

I work at the british museum (just down the road) and we have a very similar policy. I even got banned from bringing my bike on site for a month once after a similar incident, although I got approached long afterward it happened and presented with a print out of a CCTV grab showing me cycling! It was lucky that I was abroad on holiday for three weeks out of that month...

What pisses me off is that you can arrive at the front gate riding a motor cycle, flash your pass and ride on through to the m/bike parking area, but I have to dismount and walk...

Apparently it all boils down to the fact that the museum has public liability insurance to cover them against accidents to public (or staff I guess) caused by motor vehicles, but not by bikes. I would assume UCL is the same.

Such a shame that common sense can't prevail and it has to come down to the £££. Such is life.

Put motor on your bike.. run over people as required. Booya!

You didn't grauate in English then I take it, Clive?

Oh, sweet irony...

I did a graduate course at UCL and used to ride up to the science library and lock up my bike there, the campus and staff generally seemed pretty relaxed, as there were also loads more heavy vehicles going in and out. Wasn't even aware of the no cycling policy.

A brush with petty authority can happen anywhere, I guess. I got similar treatment by a community support officer, who felt my cycling on a quiet pedestrianised area at 9:35am, 5 minutes after it was not allowed, was a serious offence.

For 7 years I shopped in Coles near my place and just leaned my unlocked Apollo inside.
With less than a week to go before I left Oz, security man says I'm not allowed to bring my bike inside the centre. I found that quite amusing. I'm sure you did too. I like bikes. I'm going to drive my radio control car around the office now. Beer please.