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news
Tim gets pulled overLack of Lycra Lout? Police stop cyclist not wearing "appropriate clothing" on suspicion of stealing bike
A cyclist in Bath was yesterday stopped by a police officer for not wearing the “appropriate gear” while riding a fixed gear bike, due to suspicions he may have stolen it – proof of Avon & Somerset Constabulary’s determination to stamp out bike theft.
The cyclist, Tim Burton, while a little taken aback by the incident in Keynsham yesterday afternoon, said on Twitter that he was happy to see that the force is taking the issue of bike theft seriously.
"Just got stopped by the police for 'not wearing Lycra' but being on a road bike," he tweeted.
"The PC said I wasn't dressed in appropriate gear to be riding my bike so had I stolen it?
"I was clipped in. No scruffy trainers but clean(ish) SPD shoes.” Burton’s bike is equipped with Crank Bros Candy pedals.
“Maybe I didn't look hipster enough? Apparently there have been some shed break-ins locally. The bike looks too good for me to own, obviously!"
Due to the hills around Bath you don't see as many fixies as in some places with flatter terrain, and we're guessing that Burton's bike had drop bars and so at casual glance would look like a road bike, which have been the subject of targeted thefts in the area.
After checking the bike’s frame number and performing a background check on Burton, he was allowed to go on his way.
The cyclist, who admitted that the sight of him on the bike probably looked “dodgy” said: "It is nice to see them looking out for pinched bikes, I told [the PC] I appreciated it."
He added: “I'm not saying they were wrong. It's amusing that I've been stopped for no Lycra!”
PC Keith James, who did the stop check, said: "Bike thefts are a priority for us in this area as we've had a number of garage and shed break-ins. I'm a cyclist myself and it was unusual to see an expensive bike being ridden by someone in non-cycling clothes and without a helmet. It soon became clear that Mr Burton was the genuine owner and I'm glad he's supportive of what we're doing to try to catch bike thieves."
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
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Radar tells me their closing speed, if they are slowing and how far away. Then I decide to say a prayer. The change of light pattern is incidental.
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Add new comment
44 comments
Is the police going to issue guidelines on what one should wear when riding a bike? Honestly!!!
Do they arrest Ferrari drivers wearing torn jeans? What does this mean?
It means that the police are taking action about bike theft and stopping people who appear not to fit the "norm" for the bike they are riding.
How would you do it, Francois?
I couldn't agree more, its sensible things like this that could nab a thief and reunite the bike with its owner.
Coffee being grown in Manchester? Global warming must be accelerating! Seriously, it's a good idea, anything that can help is positive. If bike theft is increasing, and police are taking it seriously (good for them), then cycling is really in the public eye. Excellent.
Walking through London just now and somebody cycled past me in a tiger-stripe onesie. That definitely justifies being arrested.
No one nicks bikes where I live. If they did they'd get their right hand chopped off (and so have to wipe their arse and eat with the remaining left hand.....and have no mates)
Sam (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia)
If it looked like this I want one!
_1982274_cippollinicut_afp.jpg
I'll take the risk of my bike getting nicked; you can keep your autocratic rulers, religious zealots and lack of rights for women.
I've always considered a great punishment for car or bike thieves would be to have a leg amputated.
G, you're right. While I dislike the thought of having my bike nicked I rather prefer the freedom to nick a bike if I want to. But seriously, no society is perfect. Where I reside at the moment is far from that (I'm from the UK and not a muslim!) at least I don't live with the fear that someone will pinch my gear. The trade off is that women are oppressed and the country is a theocracy.
and I can't have beer after a long bike ride
Nice to hear your piece of mind comes at someone else's expense.
I retrieved a frame and wheels for parts last week and while wheeling it - Lycra-free - through Victoria Station on the way home, attracted the steely glare of a transport policeman. But I guess the lack of handlebars and wonky rear wheel gave him pause, so I escaped without having to explain.
My final comment on this. I blame it on Coleman
http://innercitymobility.blogspot.de/2013/06/transformation-fashion-crim...
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