Shocking moment dozens of bike riders ‘terrorise road users’ as they pull wheelies, run red lights and weave through traffic in central London
- Footage shows 50 young people running a red light and weaving through traffic
- Drivers complained cyclists were intimidating other road users and pedestrians
- It is thought the riders were taking part in biannual ride-out called BikeStormz
Motorists have hit out a large group of young bike riders who were filmed pulling wheelies and weaving through traffic in central London.
The incident was caught on camera by a taxi driver who described their behaviour as ‘unacceptable’ and called on the Met Police to act.
The mass ride-out is thought to be linked to an anti-knife crime campaign which attracts thousands of riders to its events each year in a bid to encourage young people to come together and turn away from violence.
But critics have said the riders behave in an antisocial way, have little regard for their own safety and intimidate other road users.
The footage was captured as the taxi driver was driving down Sloane Street in central London when the vehicle was overtaken of a gang of about 50 young people on bikes.
The video shows the bikers pulling wheelies and swerving through traffic which was forced to stop while the bikes cycled straight through a red light.
The driver said the cyclists were ‘being aggressive’ and ‘terrorising other drivers and pedestrians without a police officer in sight’.
Motorists have blasted a large group of cyclists who were filmed running red lights and weaving through traffic while pulling wheelies in central London yesterday afternoon
The video was shared on Twitter and sparked concern from other social media users.
One said: ‘Past time to register cyclists and their bikes, should have visible number plates and insurance.
‘Motorists have to and it seems we are more law abiding than cyclists. Should also have to pass a cycling proficiency test, as we used to have to enable cycling in built up areas.’
Another added: ‘So much for safe cycling, exactly what I mean , no respect for other motorists who actually pay to use the roads, it’s a p*** take. The sooner this experiment ends the better.’
Others described similar sightings near Marble Arch, Mayfair and Trafalgar Square and said cyclists were intimidating pedestrians.
A third user said: ‘It is an anti-knife crime protest something us normal Londoners support.’
Drivers expressed frustration at the mass ride-out through central London yesterday afternoon
The group of cyclists are thought to be part of an anti-knife crime movement called #Bikestormz which takes place twice a year.
The mass ride-out sees young people take to the streets of London as part of a protest against knife crime in the capital which aims to bring young people from different backgrounds together.
The event started in Southwark Park yesterday morning and it is thought those seen cycling through central London yesterday afternoon were part of the same group.
The group also uses the slogan ‘knives down bikes up’ to encourage young people to join the group instead of turning to violence.
Group leaders claim cyclists are supposed to respect the rules of the road but footage shared under the Bikestormz hashtag yesterday shows riders cycling on pavements, on the wrong side of the road and performing tricks in the middle of traffic.
And while the movement has attracted a lot of support, often drawing thousands of cyclists to its events, critics have raised concerns about the safety of the cyclists and other road users during their ride-outs through the capital.
The Met Police have been contacted for comment.
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