From the messenger mailing list;

Fixengers,

Bad timing with the ecmc and all, but they are definitely (and possibly illegally) confiscating brakeless bikes here. I nearly lost mine on wednesday but got lucky and got away. This event didnt even happen in traffic, i was just locking up and he was in his car stuck in traffic.

We meet with the chief again next week where we will try and get an amnesty agreement for that weekend. we have a good relationship them- this is definitely not something specifically against messengers- its just that hundreds of people are riding brakeless now and there has been a lot of press about the “wild” youth and these bikes. It is not yet clear how and when someone will be able to get one of these confiscated bikes returned. (It is also not clear how skateboards and rollerblades manage to escape the same treatment.)

The racecourse is on private property and this will not be an issue at the event. But seriously, do yourself a favor and put on a front brake if possible, or take routine precautions like checking around for 5-0 when you’re out cruising around.

This sudden action by the Berlin police is embarrassing and unfortunately casts a bad light on a city otherwise known for its tolerance and objectivity.

See you soon,
Bregan

Well I just bought my ticked to Berlin and got no worries because I bring my polo bike with me, with brake!

Notbremsungen sind nicht vorgesehen. Die Polizei versucht jetzt mit gezielten Kontrollen die Fixie-Fahrer aus dem Verkehr zu ziehen, die aber muss man erstmal kriegen.

I didn’t know that James is living in Berlin right now. But good to see he’s got his signature trick still down! I will see you during the ECMC. And Mo my friend tell it to them.

Watch/download it here (I had to play it with VLC)