Post by Joe R Booth on Jul 7, 2022 10:37:03 GMT
The following email has been sent to all members this morning.
I’m sure many of you will be aware that there have been continuing reports of harassment and attempted and successful robberies of cyclists by pairs of men on motorbikes on the roads we use, with threats or use of violence. Whilst initial attention focussed on the area around Beddlestead and Clarks Lane we have now heard reports from a much wider area, such as around Orpington. The latest victims have included both men and women, so this message really does apply to all members.
Advice to all members from the club committee is:
We are in contact with other local clubs and will be trying to ensure coordination with them. Hopefully this will include finding practical mechanisms to help members from any club find ride partners. We will also be writing to the police to express our concern about the impact this issue is having, not just on those who are direct victims but on all of us.
Keep riding, support each other, stay safe.
I’m sure many of you will be aware that there have been continuing reports of harassment and attempted and successful robberies of cyclists by pairs of men on motorbikes on the roads we use, with threats or use of violence. Whilst initial attention focussed on the area around Beddlestead and Clarks Lane we have now heard reports from a much wider area, such as around Orpington. The latest victims have included both men and women, so this message really does apply to all members.
Advice to all members from the club committee is:
- Ride in groups as much as possible. Use the club web-forum to look for ride partners on any day of the week. We will be introducing a new, improved forum shortly which we hope will be easier for people to use for this.
- Now, more than ever, let’s ensure that groups stay together and no-one is left riding on their own. It should be possible to ride as a group on all but the steepest hills.
- Remember that, however much you value your bike, your health and safety should be your priority if threatened.
If you are subject to any form of harassment, threat or worse – and this includes incidents in the past - report this to the police. You can do this online here: Report a crime | Metropolitan Police - British Cycling are attempting to work with the police and the London Cycling & Walking Commissioner on this issue. Yesterday they published this news article on the subject. Please report incidents to them, ideally with a crime number, to help inform their discussions with the police. You can do this by email to incident@britishcycling.org.uk or us the form at Incident Helpline
- Similarly, please report any incidents to the club by emailing info@dulwichparagon.com to help us understand the scale of problems. We will not share information about any individual cases without your consent.
- Consider writing a personal letter to your local councillors and MPs describing the impact this is having on you and the concerns you have.
We are in contact with other local clubs and will be trying to ensure coordination with them. Hopefully this will include finding practical mechanisms to help members from any club find ride partners. We will also be writing to the police to express our concern about the impact this issue is having, not just on those who are direct victims but on all of us.
Keep riding, support each other, stay safe.