South London cycleway repeatedly targeted with drawing pins

A segregated cycle lane in south London is being targeted by someone dropping drawing pins on it, with a number of cases of such sabotage happening over the past two years, causing cyclists to puncture.

Police have been made aware of the problem and say that they will keep an eye out for such criminal behaviour while on patrol in the area around Bermondsey Underground station on Jamaica Road, which is on the route of Cycleway 4, which opened three years ago.

Liberal Democrat local councillor Rachel Bentley, who has been selected as the party’s parliamentary candidate for Bermondsey & Old Southwark, warned cyclists of the latest instance in a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

“I’m sorry to report that the drawing pins are back on the cycle lane by #Bermondsey tube,” she wrote. “Such mean-spirited behaviour. Do take care when cycling through.”

I’m sorry to report that the drawing pins are back on the cycle lane by #Bermondsey tube. Such mean-spirited behaviour. Do take care when cycling through.

Photo from a local business that has suffered multiple punctures to their cargo bikes. @London_Cycling @swklibdems pic.twitter.com/VfdP5uTduu

— Rachel Bentley 🔶 (@RachelBentleyNB) November 29, 2023

She said that she had reported the problem to the Metropolitan Police, Southwark Council and Transport for London “on several occasions over the past year. It’s my ward so I take a particular responsibility and interest.”

Quoted on Southwark News, Lydia Maxwell, who owns and runs the dog-walking business Dogboxx and ferries her four-legged customers around by cargo bike said that she had suffered a number of punctures due to the unknown saboteur.

“Whoever it is has clearly stepped up their game because we’ve seen it happen 10 or 15 times this year and had about three or four punctures this year,” she said.

“I’m running a small business. Replacing my tyres definitely digs into my bottom line,” she continued.

“But it’s more of a dent in morale knowing that somebody out there wants to hurt you,” she added.

Councillor Bentley added: “Dogboxx is the cutest business on planet Earth and she’s having to spend shed loads of money on replacement tyres. It’s just mean-spirited.”

In response to her post on X, North Bermondsey Police said: “Many thanks for bringing this to our attention, we did also have an email.

2Anyone carrying out this action would be committing a criminal offence. When we are on patrol in the area we will keep an eye out.

“If anyone witnesses pins/sharp objects being dropped please call police,” they added.