Cyclist gets turned away from green transport event because of his Brompton.

[steveindenmark]

You're missing the point Steve. Sure, security must uppermost when entering any place especially a government building. Nobody has a right entry to anywhere without screening, but the point in this case is the irony of trying to get into a green transport event with an item of probably the most widely used piece of green urban transportation and being refused because it's too large. As I've said a bit of proper planning would have avoided this laughable situation.

I can see the irony. But I can also see that the security was doing the job they are paid to do. In reality. They do not care if its a folding bike. If it cannot be scanner. Its not going in. This is the stage some Brompton owners start taking the hump and thats when security decide they are certainly not getting in. The only laughable thing is that I hear similar Brompton stories on a regular basis.

 

[Cerdic]

It's a bit of none story really some lunch do for some grand idea that really wont fix the problems.
The bigger story is holding such events in a building that for most people is not exactly accessible, convenient or reinvent.
As for the bike they must have been an explosives dog around the place that they could have used.

An exploding dog!!! That’s a step up from an exploding bike…!

 

[classic33]

An exploding dog!!! That’s a step up from an exploding bike…!

Just don't ask where the explosive is put!
Or how.

 

[Cycleops]

An exploding dog!!! That’s a step up from an exploding bike…!

To be fair Tom did say explosives dog, not explosive dog.

 

[abcd efg]

Lack of forethought by the flat footed plod. Surely it's not much of a stretch to imagine that some people might turn up to a green transport event on the most popular urban form. If explosives are the fear a hand held device would counter that.

The man was only doing his job and there is no need to be rude about him. If you don't like whaqt he is required to do, complain to his higher ups.

 

[Cycleops]

The man was only doing his job and there is no need to be rude about him. If you don't like whaqt he is required to do, complain to his higher ups.

That’s what I was doing. You really shouldn’t take everything so literally, he might not have fallen arches . Unfortunately the Met are not fit for purpose on so many levels as I’m sure you’re aware.

 

[T4tomo]

has anyone commenting actually read the story? he was incorrectly advised by the plod on duty, he should have been sent to another entrance where they have a scanner that is big enough from Brommies and wheelchairs.

Not withstanding that, not sure why he took his Brommie, should have left it in the safety of his office, as it not an easy thing to lug around at an "event" and he could have had a good guess, that just leaving with "reception" to collect on the way out wouldn't be an option and could have easily phoned ahead to check this.

 

[youngoldbloke]

I've been to a reception in the Houses of Parliament with my wife, who uses a wheelchair. I don't remember any special wheelchair scanning, we went through security with everyone else. We were met in Westminster Hall and escorted through various passageways to enable access to the lifts to the higher levels of the building. Not really very accessible, but quite fascinating.

 

[tom73]

That’s what I was doing. You really shouldn’t take everything so literally, he might not have fallen arches . Unfortunately the Met are not fit for purpose on so many levels as I’m sure you’re aware.

In fairness matters of parliamentary estate inc security lay with the speakers office security and access controlled via black rod and the sergeant at arms. Unless it's Westminster hall as the sovereign maintains control so all matter rest with the Lord Chamberlain.

A simple bit of planning and the MP or his office could have checked the event was totally accessible given this was billed as green event.
Maybe now he will refer the matter to the speaker and fight to change it. Not holding my breath mind.

 

[Profpointy]

Was the bomb in the frame of the bike?

I've only heard of one instance of a bomb being hidden inside a bicycle frame; apparently when detonated it fired the saddle skywards but the bike was still intact apart from this. Bombs in bags or baskets make sense, but a bike isn't necessary for that.

I'm not saying that the security team did anything wrong; I'm trying to work out how a bicycle could be used for such nefarious practices.

A sticks of gelignite would fit inside the tube quite nicely, or if they had loose explosive they could just ram it in. The tube itself would create a nice lot of schrapnel.

 

[Baldy]

A sticks of gelignite would fit inside the tube quite nicely, or if they had loose explosive they could just ram it in. The tube itself would create a nice lot of schrapnel.

It's getting it in without first cutting the frame up that's the hard part.

 

[Profpointy]

It's getting it in without first cutting the frame up that's the hard part.

Down the handle bar tube, seat tube? Can't remember if the hingy bit is closed or open

 

[matticus]

The man was only doing his job and there is no need to be rude about him. If you don't like whaqt he is required to do, complain to his higher ups.

He did - he's raised it with Cyclechat!

 

[I like Skol]

a bit of proper planning would have avoided this laughable situation.

Or just lock it up outside like a normal person?

If someone arrived at my house on a Brompton I wouldn't let them park it in the hallway or carry it around the rooms of my home. They could lock it up outside or put it in the secure (locked) back garden. If they were really concerned it could always go into the bike shed.
Just because a bike folds doesn't make it any less mucky or damaging to the material of the building by being dragged and bumped against the fittings and fixtures. Very convenient for getting into the car boot perhaps, or when using multimode transport like trains or coaches etc, but it doesn't suddenly turn into a pleasant fluffy toy once folded, even when placed in a bag. It is still a lumpy, heavy metal object to lug around.
Just common sense really, unless you are an awkward sod looking for an argument or some publicity.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Just because a bike folds doesn't make it any less mucky

No more mucky than a pair of shoes.