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Video: "Anarchy" as massive group bike ride heads through Central London
Onlookers have described seeing “swarms” of cyclists riding through Central London in the wake of the latest #BikeStormz group ride. The annual event, organised by BikeLife.tv was said to have resulted in traffic being brought to a halt on Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge with one witness describing the scenes as “anarchy.”
The London Evening Standard reports that while the riders were followed by police for at least some of the ride, witnesses said some of those involved were trying to be intimidating, while the manager of a Costcutter on Tooley Street claimed that a group of youths stole soft drinks from the shop while the demonstration was in progress.
A Met Police spokeswoman said they were not aware of any arrests being made as a result of the demonstration.
Douglas Dunn, who was walking to London Bridge when he saw the riders, said:
"They were travelling recklessly, speeding through red traffic lights and holding up the traffic on each side. It was quite unnerving due to the sheer number of cyclists – we think in the hundreds.
"After the bulk of cyclists had passed through, we saw around four large police vans following them, and other police cars on the periphery."
Eva Charrington, a cyclist who saw the event, told the Southwark News that she felt it gave cyclists a bad name.
“People were cycling along in swarms and one came up behind me and told me to get out of the way. They started going the wrong way up main roads. It’s ridiculous really. The police had to be called for everyone’s safety. It was anarchy.
“I called the police later on to say what I saw. I think it gives cyclists a bad name. Later on two thousand came bombing through Bermondsey. I know they were just little kids having fun but after these incidents I think cyclists have to be licensed.
“Something has to be done. I actually think the parents don’t know what they are up to. They were all quite young. I am sure their parents would like to know what they’re up to. I think it’s just a case of them being young and not knowing.”
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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42 comments
I'm getting bored of seeing wheelies. Every time I venture into London, I see bikes and scooters zooming about with the front wheel in the air.
The Police have got a bit of a headache there. When I looked at the video of the earlier ride, there were lots of young kids in the ride, many just eleven or twelve. For most, they're just riding along in a big group. They're having fun, drivers are getting annoyed, the plods in the Police van following behind them are probably hoping they'll got overtime.
But there are also some absolute arseholes, riding at pedestrians with their wheel up and swearing at them. And of course the Police don't want to wade in, because all kinds of things could kick off with such a big group. Glad it's not my problem.
If the basis of a society becomes "every man for himself" don't be surprised if you breed a great number of young people who lack respect for those around them. And not just young people, they're just the most likely to congregate on a scale, and in non-established forms, that make their assholery newsworthy.
Also, that video reminds me of this one.
it's all a matter of language.
Youths pulling wheelies:intimidating. Unicyclists juggling with fire sticks: clowns.
"..said to have resulted in traffic being brought to a halt on Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge"
Vehicular traffic is always at a halt on Victoria Embankment and Westminster Bridge
'traffic brought to a halt" - I guess you mean 'motor traffic', cos the cycle traffic in the video clip is certainly not at a halt
some impressive wheelie skillz going on!
Won't someone think of the stolen soft drinks?
It sounds like 9/11 times 100! Complete anarchy!
MATT DAMON
Of course, the roads are never brought to a standstill by the sheer volume of traffic.
"It was quite unnerving due to the sheer number of cyclists – we think in the hundreds."
More 'unnerving' than the hundreds of cars he must see every day? Some people have a funny idea of what is dangerous.
It is niave to think that riding all over the road next to a major cycle highway put in to make life better for cyclists and a little harder for vehicles (as shown in the pic) will do anything other than create and reinforce negative opinions about cyclists.
Which is a shame. It does not help us.
"Something has to be done"
Cyclists, occassionally causing minor inconveniences. Can society go on after such anarchy?
Agree - its absolutely terrible scores of people killed, an absolute traged unfolding before our.... oh no hang on, 200 kids given a day to have fun. They could be doing something awful like staring at comuter games or injecting heroin with dirty needles, but instead they have chosen to go ona bike ride.
I'm in my mid thrities but it looks brilliant, where can I sign up?
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