A group of cyclists in London have issued several safety warnings to riders in Richmond Park following a recent trend of bikejackers intimidating cyclists.
A 12-year-old boy had his mountain bike stolen riding through the park on Sunday 23rd August, whilst Richmond Park Cyclists, an association of several local cycling clubs and riders, have collated at least seven further incidents of masked riders on illegally modified electric motorbikes harassing and intimidating cyclists through the park.
Sergeant Richard Wright, from the Met Police’s South Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Team, told the association that, “none of the incidents so far have involved the use of blades and no cyclists have been knocked to the ground, both of which have been the case on previous occasions.”
However, cyclists have reported being chased by the bikers and surrounded, forcing them to stop or seek the safety of riding with others.
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Richmond Park Cyclists have now issued advice to members and supporters to avoid riding solo where possible, and to dismount when an illegal bike rider approaches rather than risk the possibility of being pushed off their bike. However, Andy Taylor, chair of the London Dynamo cycling club, told road.cc, “The honest picture is that a fair number of our members are now choosing to avoid the park altogether, which is a pretty sad state of affairs given what it should be as a resource for cyclists.
“When something happens, we circulate details internally via a dedicated WhatsApp group to alert other members, and we encourage anyone involved to report it to the police, either via 999 for anything in progress or through the usual non-emergency channels.”
Paul Harknett, chair of Richmond Park Cyclists, told road.cc, “The problem to me is fear. It was put to me rather well by a female cyclist who has written to the the police expressing the fear that women in particular feel about riding into and around Richmond Park right now. This isn’t just a female thing, you know as a cyclist if you’re going to be mugged, or you fear being mugged by people on fast bikes that are faster than yours.
“If you’re going to get nudged or pushed, or you fall off because someone brakes in front of you, that is a very worrying thing to have at the back of your mind. Let alone then being potentially assaulted and having your personal belongings taken from you, which may not be your bike. It might be easier and quicker just to take somebody’s phone or other possessions.”
However Harknett stressed, “I don’t want to portray that these are real crimes. What the police have been very keen to point out is that they have yet to receive any reports of weapons being shown, and they’ve yet to hear of anyone being actually knocked off or pushed off in response to activity by these people.
“[But] it’s putting people off going into or riding through the park. We’ve had children who’ve been routing themselves around the park, not through it, so potentially putting themselves in greater danger on the South Circular Road or the the main roads on the east side of of Richmond Park.”
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Harkness added he had asked the Met Police to review its data of call-outs to Richmond Park in recent months in an attempt to establish any patterns of behaviour, and that he hoped the Met’s roll-out of its own Sur-Ron electric motorbike fleet could be more effective than the ordinary, “conspicuous” police patrols which involved a marked car or 4-wheel drive buggy.
“My impression is that if they spot a masked rider on an illegal bike, whether they suspect illegal activity of a different level to just riding an illegal bike or not wearing a helmet and not having a number plate, et cetera, they are unable to pursue if they believe that the rider is being put in danger in a pursuit. I.e. they might take risks and you know come off and either injure or kill themselves.
“Whereas my impression is that the trained pursuit riders on their own Sur-Ron bikes are able to engage up to a higher level of risk with these masked riders. And it is them that we have asked to be deployed as reassurance, deterrent, and if necessary, to pursue these characters.”
In a statement, the Royal Parks charity responsible for managing the park, though not policing operations, said, “We are aware of concerns around incidents involving cyclists in Richmond Park and take the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors extremely seriously. While, as in any public space, crime can occur, we consider Richmond Park a safe place to visit and remain committed to working with the police to address any emerging concerns.
“The Metropolitan Police Service is responsible for policing the Royal Parks, including enforcement of the Park Regulations. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the MPS, which establishes how we can most effectively engage with its new model for policing the parks. We will continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police Service and other stakeholders to ensure appropriate measures are in place across the parks and that the Royal Parks remain safe, secure and welcoming spaces for everyone.”
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1 thought on ““The problem is fear”: Cyclists sound warning over bikejackers on illegal bikes intimidating riders in Richmond Park”
Ironic that this was exactly where Sadiq Khan was cosplaying the other day at being a cyclist, with his silly photo-op on a brand new road bike.
Still, I guess when you have an entourage of security men and a cavalcade of bullet proof range rovers behind you, the chances of being bike-jacked decrease somewhat… What a shame that he doesn’t bother doing anything about crime in London, other than kludging fake figures together to provide a fantasy that it’s somehow declining, despite everyone’s eyes and ears proving the opposite.