How often are you seeing Balaclava wearers ?
Discussion
As a driver and occasional cyclist I have seen, in limited mileage of maybe 45 miles, three separate incidences of people on illegal bikes.
A Sur-Ron at the Griffin lights in Heald Green near Manchester Airport, weaved between traffic and went though on red, narrowly avoiding the traffic turning.
A group of five teenagers on converted electric mountain bikes in the same area overtaking standing traffic, at speed without pedaling.
Again, same general area, a fairly big, naked motorcycle, 500 or larger with number plates, all looked legal, apart from the lack of a helmet, presence of a balaclava and appalling riding, overtaking traffic moving at the speed limit and again, going through red lights.
Its getting ridiculous now, Police seem powerless to intervene, as if the scrotes manage to crash in their frenzy to get away thats apparently the Police fault, like the families of the wrong way 5 up crash are blaming the Police FFS.
What can be done, its like people have decided the rules dont apply, basically, you can have a pedal cycle, or a pedal cycle with a small motor or you have to pay for running an actual motorised vehicle, annoys me sharing the road with these cretins.
A Sur-Ron at the Griffin lights in Heald Green near Manchester Airport, weaved between traffic and went though on red, narrowly avoiding the traffic turning.
A group of five teenagers on converted electric mountain bikes in the same area overtaking standing traffic, at speed without pedaling.
Again, same general area, a fairly big, naked motorcycle, 500 or larger with number plates, all looked legal, apart from the lack of a helmet, presence of a balaclava and appalling riding, overtaking traffic moving at the speed limit and again, going through red lights.
Its getting ridiculous now, Police seem powerless to intervene, as if the scrotes manage to crash in their frenzy to get away thats apparently the Police fault, like the families of the wrong way 5 up crash are blaming the Police FFS.
What can be done, its like people have decided the rules dont apply, basically, you can have a pedal cycle, or a pedal cycle with a small motor or you have to pay for running an actual motorised vehicle, annoys me sharing the road with these cretins.
In Stevenage here, fairly decent area on the edge near the countryside. Last night for the second time I saw a Surron two up in balaclavas it absolutely flew past and mounted the pavement. If anyone had pulled out of the drive or walked around the corner it would have been a disaster. No idea what can be done.
In the UK, amost daily, more at night and without lights.
In rural Spain, France and Portugal, zero.
I almost wish I did see them over there. Their treatment in those countries would definitely be robust. Guardia Civil and Gendarmes in particular would show you how to deal with it. Collusion with the locals could be relied on as well.
In rural Spain, France and Portugal, zero.
I almost wish I did see them over there. Their treatment in those countries would definitely be robust. Guardia Civil and Gendarmes in particular would show you how to deal with it. Collusion with the locals could be relied on as well.
J4CKO said:
Was thinking when spotted, every law abiding, paying driver should blast their horn at them until out of sight. Noisy and not sure it would do anything but hopefully might highlight their lawbreaking.
I was once part of an unofficial campaign where we did that whenever a level crossing stayed down for more than five minutes without a train passing through.It achieved far more than a few polite letters. Locals went crazy and wrote in in their hundreds. Things improved.
Anyway we digress. I think your idea has legs.
Multiple times every single day here in Cardiff, mainly as I'm a HGV driver so on the roads all the time. A big mix of what they're up to at the time too, from just out and about going from A to B to deliveroo etc. Yes, the balaclava gangs on Surrons etc are out with those bags on their backs!
They're almost normal to see, scarily.
They're almost normal to see, scarily.
Edited by aterribleusername on Tuesday 1st September 15:34
Not daily like some, but probably a couple of times a week. Mostly doing wheelies along our road as its a long hill. Not clever at the best of times, but we have a school in the road so someday there is going to be a serious accident.
At least when it was illegal motorbikes you'd hear them coming.
At least when it was illegal motorbikes you'd hear them coming.
Edited by 98elise on Wednesday 2nd September 10:02
I live in a big village, which is pretty nice. I emphasise it's much bigger than normal/traditional villages
In the last year I've started seeing Bally wearers. On the electric bikes, including twice when they were zipping across the park/football field where families, runners and dog walkers go
In the last year I've started seeing Bally wearers. On the electric bikes, including twice when they were zipping across the park/football field where families, runners and dog walkers go
I live in south warwickshire village so never seen one.
However I was in Yateley last week and saw my first illegal elec bike and rider. He mustn't own a balaclava as he had his puffer on with the hood up and the drawstring pulled as tight as he could to leave the smallest hole which his nose and mouth poked through
However I was in Yateley last week and saw my first illegal elec bike and rider. He mustn't own a balaclava as he had his puffer on with the hood up and the drawstring pulled as tight as he could to leave the smallest hole which his nose and mouth poked through

We used to get up to some pretty silly things in cars in our younger days but nowhere near as crazy as it is these days. It's totally lawless out there and these prats think it's completely acceptable to do the most outrageous behaviour as some sort of badge of honour.
Yesterday in North Finchley, this complete moron decided it was good idea to wheelie his bike for about 100mtrs coming towards us on our side of the road between the pavement and the traffic.
What is it these days with driving on the wrong side of the road? It's only going to be a matter of time before these brainless morons kill themselves and no doubt take many more innocent people with them as well.
Yesterday in North Finchley, this complete moron decided it was good idea to wheelie his bike for about 100mtrs coming towards us on our side of the road between the pavement and the traffic.
What is it these days with driving on the wrong side of the road? It's only going to be a matter of time before these brainless morons kill themselves and no doubt take many more innocent people with them as well.
TheDrownedApe said:
I live in south warwickshire village so never seen one.
However I was in Yateley last week and saw my first illegal elec bike and rider. He mustn't own a balaclava as he had his puffer on with the hood up and the drawstring pulled as tight as he could to leave the smallest hole which his nose and mouth poked through
Funnily enough, the big village I refer to in my post above is very very near to Yately! However I was in Yateley last week and saw my first illegal elec bike and rider. He mustn't own a balaclava as he had his puffer on with the hood up and the drawstring pulled as tight as he could to leave the smallest hole which his nose and mouth poked through

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