Melbourne’s population of oBikes is a source of great contention amongst citizens, with the grey and yellow treadlies dotting many a footpath across the inner city areas.
But while the bikes themselves can make even the most placid of footpath user cranky at the best of times, this is ahh… it’s a whole other level.
Metro Trains is investigating a wild brawl that erupted on a train between passengers after one man objected to the presence of a group of oBikes on the train carriage.
Footage of the incident shows an unidentified middle-aged man loudly shouting and swearing at a group of younger people who had brought the bikes onto the carriage, resting them against seats rather than standing them in designated areas.
The unidentified man aggressively shouts at the “disrespectful” group, airing concerns about the safety of other passengers and demanding they exit the train at the next stop.
The footage then cuts to the apex of the confrontation, when one of the bike users confronts the man and punches are thrown.
It’s a hell of an escalation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BboVQgdHGCH/?taken-by=lukebennie_
oBikes, like any other bike, are legally allowed on Metro Trains. Public transport policy states that people carrying bikes cannot board trains via the first door of the first carriage, and requests people keep aisles and doorways clear, and avoid travelling during peak times wherever possible.
Metro spokesperson Sammie Black slammed the footage in a statement, calling on passengers who witness anti-social behaviour on trains to alert the driver or call emergency authorities.
While incidents like this are rare, the behaviour depicted in this video is disgraceful and unacceptable. We urge anyone that witnesses dangerous, illegal or anti-social behaviour to report the incident by pressing the emergency button in trains and on platforms or by contacting triple-0.
Our Authorised Officers work across the network as well as a dedicated security and surveillance team who investigate every reported incident in collaboration with Victoria Police.
Victoria Police are aware of the incident and footage.
