Cyclist attacked

Yeah I was going to post that - Dalston - reminded me quite a bit of this.

and just yesterday I read this account of a cyclist's encounter with vicious thugs in east London - I've an enormous amount of respect for the fact that the writer was back on his bike (albeit still bandaged up) within two weeks of the attack...

"One attacker became, shall we say, rather overzealous with the robbery, and began hitting me directly in the face with what I later realised was my own D-lock, as heavy and as damaging as a hammer. Insult added to injury indeed."

after hearing about the amount of bikes being stolen has resulted in only leaving my bike in public when i have to ( pop to the shops or something) and never leaving it out overnight.
What even more worrying is how many cyclist are being attacked, its good to have your d-lock in hands reach wile riding.

In times like these we need someone with unconventional techniques to fight back like v for vendetta but instead of running everywhere he got a bike, and instead of a mask he could have his helmet over his face and his main weapon is flying cogs and he keeps hooligans wrapped up with inner-tubes until the police ‘catch-up’.... you get the picture

I know that area really well, I've been staring at this not knowing what to say, poor guy, little fuckers, I hope they're caught quickly, idiots like that are probably boasting, it may just be down to somebody being able to contact the rozzers with what they've heard....

BTB, what nice part of Tollie?

In times like these we need someone with unconventional techniques to fight back like v for vendetta but instead of running everywhere he got a bike, and instead of a mask he could have his helmet over his face and his main weapon is flying cogs and he keeps hooligans wrapped up with inner-tubes until the police ‘catch-up’.... you get the picture

Already set up, LFGSS Superheroes...

Mon-Fri - Hippy (9-5 only)
Weekends - Tynan (Saddle security optional extra on all call outs)
Holiday Cover - WiganWill (On Bank Holidays there will be a surcharge)

its good to have your d-lock in hands reach wile riding.

Except that a scumbag who is willing to beat you up to steal something is likely to be much better in a fight than you are, will take that D lock off you and beat you to a bloody pulp with it. Same thing with a knife, TBH, but kids don't seem to understand that.

I have nightmares about this kind of thing. I know cyclists who ride (semi) tooled up because of the shit they get in their areas. Sad really.

I wonder why this isn't on the main page, rather than the Surrey one? If the guy who was attacked was a copper, or a father out with his kid, I bet it would be. It seems like put the word 'cyclist' in anything and the world doesn't give a shit

But a 9 years old kid got search somehow is far more important, ffs.

shit I just read it, I was chased by 4 blokes a couple weeks back near that area.

Wtf was someone from Epsom doing in Ewell? In the 1960s when I was a kid in Epsom we knew better than to go into Ewell unless it was mob handed and tooled up.

....as for Dorking....

This has made it to the front page of thelondonpaper with this forum being mentioned in particular.
So at least they see it as news worthy...probably helps that there seem to be at least 5 forum members in the offices.

**like he said... from londonpaper for all those of us who don't get a copy..
**

A CYCLIST is fighting for his life after four youths dragged him from his bike and savagely beat him as he rode through a quiet suburban street.

The 39-year-old man suffered serious head injuries and was left for dead in the attack at 9pm yesterday in West Ewell, near Epsom, Surrey.
The victim, from Epsom, was taken to a local hospital, but his injuries were so severe that he was transferred to a specialist head injury unit at St George’s Hospital, in Tooting, where his condition was described as critical.

             Residents who came to his aid initially thought he had been run over because his injuries were so bad

One, who lives close to the scene in Cox Lane, said: "It was obvious he was very badly hurt. There was blood coming from his head and I didn’t see him move. I’m shocked someone would get attacked just riding down the road because this is a normal street. "

The attackers were described as being in their late teens.

**Members of online bike forums sent get-well messages as news of the attack spread this morning and said that violence was becoming an increasing risk for riders.
**

One user of the London Fixed-gear and Single-speed forum wrote: "This is terrible, but is all too common. Let’s hope he gets well soon."

Another said: "After what I have read of similar attacks, I am more vigilant of passing groups of youths."

Mike Cavenett, a spokesman for the London Cycling Campaign, said: "I have heard of cyclists being attacked and people advise you to avoid certain areas. If you are cycling alone at night then these things can happen."

If you are cycling alone at night then these things can happen."

Thanks for stating the obvious, but how else are we meant to get home on our owns if we rides bikes? Do we have to start bringing our own mates and do a route of dropping each other off? :/

If you are cycling alone at night then these things can happen."

Thanks for stating the obvious, but how else are we meant to get home on our owns if we rides bikes? Do we have to start bringing our own mates and do a route of dropping each other off? :/

you're right, that is stating the obvious and really stupid. It's like saying if a woman wears a nice skirt, she might get raped.

Er, not liking your figure of speech, but yeah.

I live in a rough area, I'm not going to start dragging any of you up my way just so I won't get mugged/hurt.
Sorry but that Mike Cavenett's last line in his speech is the most stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Do we have to start bringing our own mates and do a route of dropping each other off? :/

what happens to the last person on the dropping off? (s)He has to cycle back alone. at night. where things can happen

heal up Felipe David. There's another thread on here in re: 16 vs 1. Stripping paint from a bike thread or summat...?

should we be carrying this around with our minipumps?

what happens to the last person on the dropping off? (s)He has to cycle back alone. at night. where things can happen

It was sarcasm in case you didn't detect that.
I have a personal alarm from when I worked as a cashier at RBS in central London, but it's too bulky, and I doubt I'd react fast enough to pull it off.

It was sarcasm in case you didn't detect that.

so was mine!! :D
detect-o-meter fail

pepper spray is illegal here right...

as is beating the shit out of a cyclist. I said it half jokingly but in all seriousness I'd know which i'd rather be accused of.

no... detectometer... It was a genuine inquiry.

What defensive/self protection measures are legal here? I'm a Yank, so it's an honest question. I carry my D-lock on my waist but I'm not entirely confident in using that against a group and I'm more interested in something for my wife to carry when she rides.

I have a heavy D-lock, and I intend using it if I'm under threat, like real threat, not like that NY idiot.

Thing is if you hit someone in the head with a d-lock you might end up killing them.

It would be in my bag, and I would never do it across the head.