cycling through Burgess Park

[Toad1973]

Stumbled accross a lot of plain clothes police on the edge of Burgess Pk this am...

Was told someone had been bike-jacked

Anyone know any more?

I know there was a spate of these incidents a few years ago but haven't heard of many/any since

I cycle through there regularly in the dark

[miga]

.

[jimbo1964]

Strange for it to happen in the morning. I go through there most days so I'd be interested in hearing more.

[DuncanW]

I cycle through there mornings and evenings at the moment.

Didn't see anything this morning - may have been a different part of the park or time.

[Toad1973]

It was the part of the park near the big fenced off astro-turf area, the part that you'd tend to arrive in first if you take the cycle route out through Peckham library towards the Old Kent Road.

[JDB]

Does anyone know what time this was?? I commute daily through Burgess Park, around 9-9:30hrs, and the park was quite busy with dog walkers, joggers, park staff etc.

[DuncanW]

OK - these things do happen

Be careful out there :)

[woodland]

I commute through there too . Well I did last year - about to start again. I often try to cycle near other cyclists as some sort of deterrant - but I'm not very fast!

[jimbo1964]

I've cycled that route for about six years at all times of day and night. The park seems a lot less threatening since it's makeover. The only incidents I've had were between Burgess Park and The Elephant. Two hooded youths ran into the road to try to push me off a few years ago, luckily they mistimed their run and missed me and I had stuff thrown at me from the old Heygate Estate Bridge.

[Earl Aelfheah]

It's a good route - not sure why the mayor isn't promoting these types of routes for his superhighways.

[Toad1973]

Woodland yes that is my problem too! I often wonder if I could out-pedal someone running fast and think the answer is probably no. I've just applied for a cycle to work scheme to get a new bike and now am wondering if this is a bad move as new bike will obv be attractive however old bike slow and heavy.

JDB in answer to your question the incident yesterday happened probably just after 930am. There were some witnesses although I was not one of them...

[JDB]

These occurrences are extremely rare. I have cycled to work in the city for the last 15 years. 7 years from Catford and the last 8 from Camberwell via Burgess Park and, like Jimbo1964, at all times of night and day. I have never witnessed a single incident as a third party. I did cycle into the lake about a year ago as I attempted to avoid a couple of West Highland terriers! Not my finest moment.

What I'm trying to say is don't let this isolate incident deter you from getting on your bike.

[woodland]

JDB - I won't - i've seen more trouble on buses and trains than on my bike. Plus it's more fun than any other way. I will just have to try and get fitter and faster!

[dildals]

I had an unfortunate incident a couple of years ago in Burgess Park on my commute home, this was before its revamp. It was about 6.30pm, quite dark, raining and a couple of youths ran towards me trying to stick an iron bar through my spokes. Needless to say I was shitting myself. They missed and grazed my (gloved) hand and I quick pedalled it out of there but I was v shook up. After that I would detour or wait at the side of the park until other cyclists would arrive.