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Barriers on London’s Blackfriars Bridge widened for cyclistsBlackfriars Bridge barriers (William Hulley via Twitter).jpg

Barriers on London’s Blackfriars Bridge widened for cyclists

“But what about mopeds?” asks former Scotland Yard officer
by Alex Bowden
Sat, Jul 01, 2017 11:48
14

The gaps between security barriers on Blackfriars Bridge in London have been widened following reports of huge queues of cyclists at peak times. London Cycling Campaign welcomed the change, while a former Scotland Yard officer suggested that “the recent surge in moped-enabled crime could mean that terrorists will adopt this tactic.”

The barriers had previously only left room for cyclists to pass in single file at the north end of the bridge, but have now been repositioned to allow a better flow of cycle traffic.

The city’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, Will Norman, commented: “We recognise that the barriers the Met installed to increase security have affected many of the cyclists and pedestrians who use London's bridges.

“That’s why TfL and I are working with the Met, local councils and others to deliver short-term improvements that maintain the security of all road users, such as these changes to Blackfriars Bridge, as well as longer-term solutions.”

David Videcette, who was in the Met’s counter-terror unit for six years until 2010, told the London Evening Standard: “These bollards may stop large vehicles from entering the bridge, but what about mopeds? The recent surge in moped-enabled crime could mean that terrorists will adopt this tactic.

“Even though motorbikes would perhaps not cause as much damage as a car or van, a knifeman on a bike would.”

He said that if barriers were widened “too much,” the public would be open to further attacks.

“If a vehicle of any kind is able to get through – they are useless. The Government needs to be more forward-thinking in its approach to prevention as terrorists are flexible and they will find a way around the measures already in place.”

London Cycling Campaign responded: "It’s obviously vital that the Met Police can continue to protect all Londoners from terrorist attacks with necessary security measures.

"But it’s also vital that those measures don’t put people crossing the river on bike at risk. It’s positive to see the barriers, which were put in quickly, being tweaked and adapted to improve safety day-to-day for everyone."

Blackfriars Bridge
London
TFL
Will Norman
David Videcette
Alex Bowden

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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14 comments

Avatar
Bigtwin | 7 years ago
2 likes

Anyway, "former Scotland Yard officer".  Scotland 0.9144 metre surely?

Avatar
EddyBerckx | 7 years ago
6 likes

So while the surge in moped  related crime could mean terrorists adapt this tactic (helmets off to stop police chasing them - 'ealth 'n safety innit  3 ) they could also adopt the tactic of targeting the billions miles of unprotected pavement in a car instead, unless they wanna look super cool and hard on their mopeds?

Avatar
ConcordeCX | 7 years ago
9 likes

Is there something in the Terrorists' Code of Conduct that says they can only drive shit at people who are on bridges?

Avatar
Bigtwin replied to ConcordeCX | 7 years ago
1 like
ConcordeCX wrote:

Is there something in the Terrorists' Code of Conduct that says they can only drive shit at people who are on bridges?

No, impressively economical and competatively well-specced urban SUVs are also acceptable.

Avatar
P3t3 | 7 years ago
3 likes

I don't think David can have been entrusted with that much responsibility at Scotland Yard surely? There are footways everywhere, cretin.

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
4 likes

Reminds me of Judge Death's  logic. 

Avatar
The _Kaner | 7 years ago
5 likes

Surely a bottleneck of cyclists is an easy target for any terrorist , whether on foot or moped?

Reducing that bottleneck will surely mitigate for such a scenario...

Oh wait -  what about a crowded road, slowly moving stream of traffic and a van laden with explosives?

Or perhaps a suicidal 'helicopter hire'...

I'm just being silly now AMN'T I? (sic)

Avatar
leaway2 | 7 years ago
7 likes

Yeah, block the pavement and cycle paths just in case terrorists use them. Not much we can do about the roads though, where every other attack has come from. We should only sell rubber knives. That'll stop em'

Avatar
Bigtwin replied to leaway2 | 7 years ago
3 likes
leaway2 wrote:

Yeah, block the pavement and cycle paths just in case terrorists use them. Not much we can do about the roads though, where every other attack has come from. We should only sell rubber knives. That'll stop em'

 

What if they've got a peice of fruit?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U90dnUbZMmM

 

Avatar
FatBoyW replied to Bigtwin | 7 years ago
1 like
Bigtwin wrote:
leaway2 wrote:

Yeah, block the pavement and cycle paths just in case terrorists use them. Not much we can do about the roads though, where every other attack has come from. We should only sell rubber knives. That'll stop em'

 

What if they've got a peice of fruit?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U90dnUbZMmM

 

Aaah! Life imitating art, a favourite skit.

Well said, look forward to other reasonable responses to tragedies - should there be big barriers in the river to prevent errant speedboats? 

Oh can we have some barrage balloons too please

Avatar
Leviathan | 7 years ago
10 likes

I thought terrorists drove hire vans? Maybe stricter id checks on van hire instead of blocking the cycle lanes when the terrorists can you know just drive on the road [you fucking morons]

Avatar
danthomascyclist | 7 years ago
9 likes
Quote:

Even though motorbikes would perhaps not cause as much damage as a car or van, a knifeman on a bike would

 

Quote:

He said that if barriers were widened “too much,” the public would be open to further attacks.

 

Fuck this guy. Clearly not sincere with his thoughts and just hates cyclists. The old system caused a huge bottleneck of stationary cyclists. If he's worried about terrorist attacks, surely that'd be an easy target?

If you were to ask me to imagine the least effective weapon/vehicle combination, it would almost certainly be a knife wielding person on a motorbike. Would be funny to watch though

Avatar
Bigtwin | 7 years ago
10 likes

Christ - good point!  What if terrositsts use cycles?  Best narrow them to at lest 1/3 average Q factor.

Avatar
brooksby | 7 years ago
20 likes

At the police officer quoted about mopeds: but what about criminals and terrorists who walk? Probably best to block all the footpaths too, just in case...

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