Brick Lane stolen bikes


By westflotilla at 2013-08-20 14:54:19
Brick Lane, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, UK
42 replies
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2013-08-20 14:54:19

I had a really nasty encounter at Brick Lane ‘market’ on Sunday morning. a lot of of you might know that the dodgy street corners round Brick Lane on a Sunday is the hot spot for cycle thief scum to pass on their weeks work.

I was approached by one bloke asking if I knew something regarding cycles as he was considering handing over £50 to one of the chavs flogging his newest hot property. He must have asked for my judgment as I looked the part – decent bike, helmet, other biking gear etc.

I told him that yes, £50 was a good price for a near pristine Marin (!!!!), but of course you should never purchase a bike without obtaining a receipt and some credentials from the seller. Don’t want to be stopped by a copper now, asking why you are riding a stolen cycle and where did you buy it from.

This generated a crowd of bike thief scum circling round me and all of a sudden the Marin was no longer for sale. Luckily I was still mounted on my bike and managed to compose the getaway.

Having been the victim of cycle theft myself on a number of occasions, I truly despise the way that these criminals can carry out their illegal trade in public and with no shame. By being allowed to trade at Brick Lane on a Sunday morning, they are justifying the London bike theft economy. equally each person that buys a bike from the arseholes is also giving a thumbs up to their criminal activity and fuelling their economy.

For each bargain Brick Lane bike sold (and there were some GREAT bargains), there is a brokenhearted bike owner.

What I am proposing is a very visible Brick Lane Critical Mass one Sunday where as a group, we can communally offer our ‘advice’ to those thinking of buying a bike. Let them know about the significance of a receipt etc.

This clearly has the capability to turn nasty, something which I would not want. It would only work if we turned out in numbers. Assistance from out friends, the Met Boys on Bikes would also be nice ;-)

Thoughts?


2013-08-20 19:41:19

I agree with you but fuckin'ell, I would be really hesitant about going along, not being the type who's that comfortable getting physical with dodgy thieves and the like. Maybe a bit of flyposting/flyering on a Saturday night might be a safer style to do it?


2013-08-20 22:47:19

I may be up for this. Are you a recurrent CM'er TS? Do you think it would produce much support from CM regulars?

I feel its a splendid plan though - as long as there were more than 15 I think it'd be a goer. however I don't think plod is in the least hot and bothered about these people, but if it was a CM they would have to be concerned (and in attendance).

I will be vocal and peaceful - although none of those thieving fuckers down there are frightening me. It could be quite a buzz, they won't be expecting it thats for sure.


2013-08-21 00:24:19

Funny thing is...I know people who were (and may still be) regular on CM who got bikes from Brick Lane market on a Sunday morning knowing full well the bikes they got were going to have been nicked off someone...


2013-08-21 01:21:19

They should know better


2013-08-21 04:17:19

I would have cheerfully bought a bike there..

Until I watched a friend get 4 bike stolen in as many months.

We were at Columbia road one sunday morning. Two bikes parked up next to each other. Hers got pinched and mine (an massive trek) didn't.

So we went down to Bethnal Green Road, and her cycle was locked up to the railings with a further one. Calling the police didn't help.

"If you still haven't managed to unlock it in an hour or so, call us back". Or words to that effect.

So I stay by the bike while my pal gos ff in search of tools. And then the kids turn up up on their - 'scuse me how the f*did you have enough money to buy that 500 pound canondale - making cracks at each other. In my direction. "It's only a five pound D lock. I could have that off in 10 seconds."

And as my friend comes back with tools and I have a hacksaw in one hand and a jemmy in the other, the kids are nowhere to be seen. We unshackle the bike attracting a lot of attention.

Giving back the tools to the market stall guy he goes: "We sell all the tools to the kids who cut the bikes. It's only fair to loan them to you."

What exactly can the police force do on Bethnal Green Road? How do you corroborate you own the bike you're riding or some dodgy guy is trying to sell? Identification seems to be the problem.

Definitely up for the CM. When I get a new bike ;-(


2013-08-21 08:32:19

Ok this is somewhat off subject but I was the victim of another bike swindle over the weekend, let me narrate the story to you

I went out in Islington to spin some tunes with a mate, and left my bike (vespa scooter) parked in a side road overnight cos I was excessively fucked to drive it home :happy:

When I went to pick it up the next evening, some individual had stolen the helmet from beneath the seat (they can now do this lacking even breaking the lock as the catches are so feeble you can slide a screw driver in the interior the seat and raise the catch.) so I bought a new helmet at great expense, however when I went back to the bike somebody had put their own lock round the wheel...grrrrrr

After many phone calls to the law and fire brigade I at last managed to get the lock broken but was told that this was a 'new' scam, bikes are locked up by the criminal dirt then taken away in the back of a van.

Be shrewd people, the police wont break the lock for you, even if they state they will, your best bet is to speak to a responsive fire officer who may help you out.


2013-08-21 08:39:19

clearly the approach to stop people selling stolen bikes is to stop making bikes so pricey :friendly:

The police cant stop folks stealing bikes nor selling them. As long as bikes are costly people will rob and sell them.

While a CM might be a nice gesture, symbolicly i dont imagine it will really have any effect. perhaps as part of a bigger campaign anti the sale of stolen bikes in brick lane however not on its own.

But if you are interested in organising it why not propose it on the critical mass discussion list - details of which are at http://cmlondon.enrager.net im sure some people may be upbeat for it :)


2013-08-21 11:36:19

I like the flyposting plan – it surely seems safer. There is NO WAY that I want this to turn out to be a violent clash and sadly I think the only way to avoid this is to (a) have NUMBERS (30 plus?) or (b) the Cops on bikes with us.

I’m not naïve enough to think that it will stop cycle theft. It’s just that I was so angry at the weekend seeing such blatant promotion of nicked bikes by some very fucking horrid dishonest little scum.

Mentioning Columbia Road… This was my next destination and I thought it was safe round there? I locked my bike next to the railings and thankfully it was still there half an hour later.

I am a recurrent CMer btw. I did also post a copy of my first mssg to the CM list but it hasn’t got through. Will try again.

Sorry to hear about your weekend Moon - it wouldn't have happened at Essex Uni you know :friendly: (whoops, private joke)


2013-08-21 15:20:19

Obviously the way to stop people buying stolen bikes is to stop making bikes so expensive :friendly:

The police cant stop people stealing bikes nor selling them. As long as bikes are expensive people will steal and sell them.

sorry wonko, but I think thats bollocks.

Bikes have never been cheaper. 95% are made in Taiwanese and Vietnamese sweat shops ffs! Decathlon sports superstore in canada water sells a 21 momentum MTB with 7005 Alu skeleton for £64.95. I'd call that pretty affordable. In fact if you look around you'll see that base of the series bikes far and wide for below £100.

But why should people buy one of these when they can buy a cannondale for the same money? Face it, its greed and laziness not poverty that drives the purchase of a brick lane special. folks want the cudos of a flash bike however would rather not spend a realistic amount of cash getting it.

Anyway, shops make next to nothing on new bike sales - talk to my mate who runs a racing bike shop. Servicing and trimmings is what keeps the bike trade going, not sales.


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