Met Police respond after officer stops black cyclist and says riding without a helmet or licence plate is ‘anti-social behaviour’
Video is circulating online showing the altercation
The Metropolitan Police has issued a response after a black cyclist was stopped by officers and told riding without a helmet or licence plate is ‘anti-social behaviour.
Video of the interaction was shared on social media on June 30, prompting complaints from a number of people on social media.
The Met has since confirmed it has received a public complaint over the incident and will be investigating.
Footage, filmed by the unnamed cyclist himself and originally on Snapchat, shows the cyclist questioning why he was stopped with five police officers visible.
The rider then asked an officer “does this look anti-social to you?”
In response, the officer said: “The way you’re cycling around yes. You’re in and out of the road, on the pavement, you’re not wearing a helmet, not got your licence plate, not wearing a hi-vis.”
The cyclist then responds: “So everyone not wearing a helmet is anti-social when they’re riding a bike?”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
According to the Met, the incident happened at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, June 30 in Upney Road, Barking.
The force said: “Officers on patrol noticed a male riding his pushbike on the pavement in Upney Road.
“Officers approached him and stopped him to discuss the manner of his cycling. He was asked where he was going and he said he was going home.
“The man was not searched, was not arrested and after a short time he was allowed on his way.”
>>> Drivers caught on camera mounting pavement to get past cycling safety road closure
The spokesperson for the Met added: “Police are aware of a video circulating on social media showing an officer providing advice to the man. We will speak to the officer to understand the full circumstances of the entire interaction and the advice that was given.
“A public complaint has been recorded and this will be assessed by the Met’s Department of Professional Standards.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Marianne Vos rides self-inflating tire system to UCI Gravel World Championship victory
Vos used a €3.898,00 wheelset with a kinetic compressor to win her first mixed surface rainbow jersey
By Joe Baker Published
-
Marianne Vos edges Lotte Kopecky in two-up sprint to seal first Gravel World Championships title
World road champion and multi-discipline star jumped clear with 50km to race in Flemish Brabant, setting up two-horse race for rainbow
By Flo Clifford Published