Bikers say 'idiots' threaten future of 40-year meet

Bikers fear a "few idiots" could jeopardise the future of a cherished cafe meet that has run for 40 years.

The H Cafe's Monday meet has been described as "Oxfordshire's biggest weekly bike night", but it has recently seen a rise in anti-social behaviour and dangerous driving.

Over the summer, an increase in reports by members of the public prompted special operations by Thames Valley Police, which found people riding without insurance and saw bikes seized.

But local riders, who describe the venue as a "lifeline", are now concerned it could fall to the same fate as the Ace Cafe in London, which has paused meets for similar reasons.

Richard Allen, owner of the Berinsfield cafe, said he first visited it with his father 35 years ago.

Years later, he told his dad he had bought the business and still remembers the smile on his face when he shared the news.

"It's generational," he said. "You get a lot of guys that have been coming here for the 40 years. But you don't need to be a biker to come here."

Over the summer, Richard said he had seen a rise in anti-social behaviour, revving engines and performing stunts, which he thinks stems from people who are not from the area.

"I've been threatened, I've had a group of guys literally swipe their crash helmets at me."

Earlier this year, the Ace Cafe in London had to pause its Friday night meet due to anti-social behaviour, with the Metropolitan Police also issuing a dispersal order on 21 August.

"I can only presume because there is no bike night now on a Friday night at the Ace they'll come this side," Richard said.

"My regulars don't want it here, they all back me when I approach a crowd and try and tell them to stop it. People don't understand what happens if they don't stop."

Nathan Curtis travels from his home in Blackbird Leys to meet his friends on a Monday night.

Above the visor on his helmet he wears a sticker that says "Mental Riders", a clothing brand aiming to promote and support mental health awareness through riding.

He described the meet at H Cafe as a "sanctuary" and "more than a part" of supporting riders' mental health.

"Without this you'd have nowhere to go, nowhere to congregate... you come here and someone's always got an answer."

One of his friends and fellow riders Jamie said if people "don't shape it up" they are going to lose the cafe.

"This is the one place where I come every week and I have a chat with my mates. If I lose that then that's it really, that's social gone."

Almost everyone BBC South spoke to, including Jamie and Nathan, seemed to agree that the people behaving badly were not regulars.

"You don't just have to come here and show off and try and pretend you're a big man - because everyone that sits here just thinks you're an idiot," Jamie added.

The cafe sits on the side of the A4074, which is the main route between Reading and Oxford.

Last year, in a bid to improve road safety, Oxfordshire County Council announced most of the road would be reduced to 40mph and 50mph speed limits.

Sgt Dan Howard, from Thames Valley Police (TVP), told the BBC the majority of motorists used the road responsibly.

"There are a small minority of individuals who repeatedly engage in dangerous, anti-social or inconsiderate behaviour, showing a disregard for the safety of other road users and the wellbeing of local communities," he added.

In a post on social media, TVP South and Vale said its aim was "not to prevent people from meeting at H Cafe".

However, it said it was asking everyone to "work together to ensure that riders and local residents can co-exist respectfully".