Only just got home to post this…
So tonight on my way into Brick Lane at around 7:15pm to meet friends for a ride out, 3 scooters pulled out in front of me mid corner whilst I had the bike leaned over and I could see them just before I started my lean, they looked like they were sitting there chatting however this forced me up right and to slow down.
One was in front of me slowing me down then one on each side. They were yelling to pull over and get off the bike. I waived my hands to say what’s going on as they were closing in on me, one tried to reach out to get my hand of the bars and I swerved. They got me down to around 10mph and the one in front of me left a gap to my right as he thought I was going closer to the curb I decided to pin it and get out of there.
Further down the road was a cop and waived him down in the middle of the road and notified him of the ordeal. I’m not sure if he managed to catch them but I hope he did - he left with sirens blaring and all the rest…
Pretty scary thing to happen whilst on the bike / unheard of? Please let me know if this has happened to anyone before…
In terms of the visual I got of them they had no gear on except for helmets with no visors. I could tell they were no older than 20 years old, Arab looking.
EDIT: A few friends on KK group on FB posted this as a comment as it’s recently a common thing:
“I’ve read several similar stories recently and even read in a local paper of a guy who had been attacked twice, the second time it happened to him they smashed his knee to bits with a hammer. Always seems to be guys on scooters in 2s and 3s.”
“I witnessed this about a month ago. I was on my way back from Brands Hatch (trackday with Nimi, Louis and co), sat at a red light a bunch of 2-up scooter yobs were opposite me being rowdy. I then spotted that they had surrounded a guy on a GS and a guy on a Striple. The GS barged through and zoomed off through the red light but as the Striple tried to follow they started pushing him and trying to yank him off the bike. Thankfully he got through and at the same time I whizzed past them before they had a chance to target me.”
"My friend only a few months ago got followed on her r6 by a scooter then when she turned into a side ride he jumped her and tried to drag her off to the bike- beat her to try and get it but she didn’t give it up without a fight"
A shame to now find out this is a common thing - please be aware out there guys.
You did well.
You did well. eezieThanks man, still shocked at the whole thing.
That’s a bit scary. Glad you got away in one piece. Do you have any camera footage of them? (for possibly evidence)
That’s crazy man. Glad you got out of there. It’s ridiculous that the police continue not to take these criminals seriously.
I was sitting at the lights the other day and was wondering what stops anyone just running past and grabbing the keys out of the ignition and then try to find out where you live from the reg.
Edit: Just bought an elasticated key chain for my paranoia!
Thanks guys, just another thing to be aware of.
@Arfa - I didn’t have the GoPro on unfortunately.
Damn, that’s very worrying. Glad you’re safe. Will make me think twice before riding into the city with no specific reason.
Unbelievable. You did well to get away Jax. The other stories you mention are pretty horrific. It might be worth giving a formal statement at the local Police station, just in case the cop did catch them. If nothing else, more reports means more attention on the issue.
Be wary out there guys and girls!
They do this quite often, it’s happened to a few people and some got injured as well.
It’s not good. Well done for getting away.
Glad you got away and without it going wrong too.
Did you make a formal report yet? Have to say this pisses me off so much. Little fucking scrotes probably veterans at it and are more law aware then the frontline police. If they get nicked the sentence would be non existent. The CPS (criminal protection service) would likely only secure a fine and points on a license that they don’t have.
Makes me want to start a vigilant group 
It’s not new to bikers in London but I’ve never seen any prevention initiatives against bike jacking (any bacon on the site that might have an insight?). It would be interesting to see some figures.
Ride safe Jordy. Hope this hasn’t shook you too much.
I’m thinking short iron bar hidden on bike so you can beat them off
I’ve had thoughts about this for years. I’ve mentioned before that this was a regular event in Acton years ago (hence always in gear at lights unless there’s a few of us).
However a bar is a crap weapon as its so easy to loose control of and drop or have taken off you and used against you. You’d need a wrist strap really and that’s too awkward in an emergency event.
A pepper spray (alternative) might be better but so hard to use on the move. I’m not going to suggest anything illegal, so a strong chilli oil water mixture instead is my alternative pepper spray. Get something like “insanity sauce” and mixed it with just enough water to get it to spray.
Are you serious? You ride around London with chilli oil spray in your jacket in case you get bike jacked?
No I don’t. It was just my thoughts over the years.
Although I love chilli sauce and used to carry a small bottle when heading out for some dinners!
I don’t think it’s a good idea going up against 3 people with possible weapons. I’d rather sacrifice the bike and claim on insurance.
Having said that, the law needs to come down harder on these thugs… But I can’t see how they would enforce this without also affecting us - more police patrols = speeding tickets, random defect checks = exhaust defects, etc.
@Dr Whooligan, that’s awesome! I am always thinking about bringing my own chilli sauce too. What do you use or do you make your own? We’ve always got a bottle of Sriracha in the fridge.
Time to fit a rear gunner?
Pepper spray (even homemade) would qualify as a weapon. The law in the UK on what is a weapon basically says that anything carried with the intent to harm anyone else is a weapon. If you get stopped and searched, you’d need a very good excuse to wiggle out of carrying homemade pepper spray.
Defo make a formal report to the police, you can call 101 for this.
If they don’t get reported then the police won’t get the resources to tackle it.
FFs, that is awful. I remember a spate of this happening in the Catford/Lewisham area (never to me thankfully). Seems like it’s getting worse now. Glad you got away Jax, let’s hope the police did catch them.
“I happened to be eating out and I had my chilli sauce in my pocket. I reached for my phone and it just happened to be in there. I didn’t think and just reacted”
Yes the law is pretty clear on intent. It’s not a weapon without intent.