onionbagblog

Bobbies on Bikes

‘Ello ‘ello - the Boys in Blue are proudly parading on flickr a selection of stolen bicycles. It’s a fine use of the medium, but also a reminder that Bike Thief Scum is not particularly picky when targetting which frames to swipe.

I’m often asked: my bicycle has been nicked - what should I do?

Many things…

(i) Wander around the streets of SW2 with a motorbike chain looking for Bike Thief Scum. Confrontation is obviously not cool, but the needle in a haystack approach once worked for me back in the day. NO Bike Thief Scum was hurt. Not physically, anyway.

Of course this approach is likely to attract the attention of the Boys in Blue.

(ii) Head to Nine Elms Boot Sale and Brick Lane Market EARLY on the first Sunday after your wheels have taken a wander. You’re pretty much left alone at Nine Elms if you spot your bicycle; Brick Lane is a little better with plenty of police around to offer assistance.

NEVER buy a bicycle from Bike Thief Scum. For every bargain Brick Lane bicycle there is a heartbroken cyclist that has lost their ride.

(iii) Trawl Gumtree for descriptions of your bicycle. ALWAYS attend with a ‘firm friend’ if you are planning to meet up with Bike Thief Scum to reclaim your frame.

(iv) If all else fails and you need to go down the bicycle replacement route, make the right choices this time. Watch the hugely missed Barry Mason of Southwark Cyclists explaining how to lock up a bicycle. Buy a bloody good bike lock. In fact by two bloody good bike locks. Your starting price should be £25 at least.

via @hernehillforum.

And if you want to celebrate something positive from the London cycling community…

Cycling Food for Thought

“The concept is simple: it’s a volunteer run space that uses recycled bicycle parts to supply DIY workshops where people work on their own bikes. This was going to be a workplace that didn’t have shareholders to please, a place that invested in the wellbeing of its staff while simultaneously providing an awesome service to the public.”

Jenni from the ACE Ldn Bike Kitchen explains the beautifully simple ethos of a self-service community bicycle space.

via @london_cycling.

And to complete the cycling / swimming love in:

Building on the Brockwell Swimming Success

“A quick look at the website of Brockwell Lido Users Group shows what’s happening elsewhere – and highlights what’s not happening at Charlton at the moment.”

High hopes for a return of lido life over in Charlton.