As I did my usual scoot into Waterloo station this morning I was spotted by two community support officers. I quickly converted to walking and tried to bluff it but they had me fixed and were making a rapid approach.
"Excuse me sir," they started, "would you like your bike marked with an invisible security marker?" With that they scribbled my post code on the top tube, checked it was correct with a UV LED light and handed me a blue cycle security leaflet from British Transport Police. I have it on good authority that Porcine Aviations inaugural flight successfully took off from Heathrow at around the same time.
-- Tony
"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
As I did my usual scoot into Waterloo station this morning I was spotted by two community support officers. I quickly converted to walking and tried to bluff it but they had me fixed and were making a rapid approach.
"Excuse me sir," they started, "would you like your bike marked with an invisible security marker?" With that they scribbled my post code on the top tube, checked it was correct with a UV LED light and handed me a blue cycle security leaflet from British Transport Police. I have it on good authority that Porcine Aviations inaugural flight successfully took off from Heathrow at around the same time.
-- Tony
"Anyone who conducts an argument by appealing to authority is not using his intelligence; he is just using his memory." - Leonardo da Vinci
Should have listened to 'Genius' on R4 last week. One idea was to walk round with a UV pen and write your post code on things you liked, then if/when they get knicked plod comes round with 'your' stuff :-)
As I did my usual scoot into Waterloo station this morning I was spotted by two community support officers.
They're the worst, aren't they - just too keen to find something to do.
Quoted message said:
I quickly converted to walking and tried to bluff it but they had me fixed and were making a rapid approach.
Cue spaghetti western music, chew on your cigarillo and squint inscrutably ...
Quoted message said:
"Excuse me sir," they started, "would you like your bike marked with an invisible security marker?" With that they scribbled my post code on the top tube, checked it was correct with a UV LED light and handed me a blue cycle security leaflet from British Transport Police.
I hope the ink is sweat-resistant :-)
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I have it on good authority that Porcine Aviations inaugural flight successfully took off from Heathrow at around the same time.
That will be the new "eye in the sky" blimp designed to spot cars parked in cycle lanes.
Should have listened to 'Genius' on R4 last week. One idea was to walk round with a UV pen and write your post code on things you liked, then if/when they get knicked plod comes round with 'your' stuff :-)
Bryan
Nice idea but its not going to work unless you live in a castle as frequently several several hice have the same postcode.
Should have listened to 'Genius' on R4 last week. One idea was to walk round with a UV pen and write your post code on things you liked, then if/when they get knicked plod comes round with 'your' stuff :-)
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Nice idea but its not going to work unless you live in a castle as frequently several several hice have the same postcode.
You put your house number* on as well.
For most addresses in the UK, that'll just be 7 to 10 digits to identify your exact dwelling.
What plod do when there's more than one postcode, though, I dunno.
* Or name if you don't have a number. Just the first few letters may do.
Now you'll have to get a new bike if you move house
Maybe we should press for a scheme like the network providers have with mobile phones where you can take your postcode with you when you move?
Or maybe a system like that in use for cars, where you have a special code on your car, which is held in a central database against your address. If you move you just have to notify the database administrators.
"Matt B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... SNIP
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Or maybe a system like that in use for cars, where you have a special code on your car, which is held in a central database against your address. If you move you just have to notify the database administrators.
That would work to a point if manufacturers had a totally unique frame number and when you bought a bike it was logged with you.
You could then inform them of any changes or sales.
Where this all falls down is when manufacuters want a fee for doing that and they won't talk to each other.
If a central office was set up again it costs money and before we know where we are we have an annual registration fee.
"Matt B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... SNIP
Quoted message said:
Or maybe a system like that in use for cars, where you have a special code on your car, which is held in a central database against your address. If you move you just have to notify the database administrators.
That would work to a point if manufacturers had a totally unique frame number and when you bought a bike it was logged with you.
You could then inform them of any changes or sales.
Where this all falls down is when manufacuters want a fee for doing that and they won't talk to each other.
If a central office was set up again it costs money and before we know where we are we have an annual registration fee.
DaveB
You're just pandering to Troll B's ego here. Check out some of his previous posts, he either wants bikes registered or no number plates on cars.
"Matt B" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... SNIP
Quoted message said:
Or maybe a system like that in use for cars, where you have a special code on your car, which is held in a central database against your address. If you move you just have to notify the database administrators.
That would work to a point if manufacturers had a totally unique frame number and when you bought a bike it was logged with you.
They could be compelled, as for cars, or a unique id could be generated and stamped/attached at registration.
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If a central office was set up again it costs money and before we know where we are we have an annual registration fee.
IIRC in the District of Columbia in the US, where bicycle registration is compulsory, the charge is $1.
Check out some of his previous posts, he either wants bikes registered or no number plates on cars.
You don't believe in equality for all then, I take it. All the reasons that they are compulsory on, say, mopeds, or milk floats, apply equally to bicycles, recumbents or whatever. And vice-versa too, of course.
