Hundreds of spectators gathered in Hackney to watch as medieval knights jousted on Lime e-bikes, in an unusual spectacle that has since gone viral.
The duel took place at London Fields on Saturday October 17, with artist Jack Carden and actor Cameron Carnegie-Brown, known as Camtholomew the First, facing off in full suits of armour.
The duel has amassed millions of views online, including the attention of Lime themselves, who issued a unique safety warning.
Lime caveated the medieval spirit of the event and said: “Lime bikes are designed for getting around the city, not for jousting.”
Lime’s warning is not unwarranted as their bikes have been linked to numerous leg fractures, so prevalent that doctors dub them ‘Lime bike leg’.
There is no indication that anyone sustained such an injury during Saturday’s joust, although Camtholomew could be heard telling the crowd he had bruised his bottom.
Carden, 24 and originally from New Zealand, said: “I think the idea of knights in shining armour is universally likeable and Lime bikes are so ingrained in London society that they are such a relatable thing.”
He said he came up with the idea as a performance piece to make art more accessible and fun.
Some members of the crowd dressed as knights, princesses and wizards, transforming the park into a medieval gathering.
According to Carden, more than 100,000 people across the UK had expressed interest in attending.
They used an online platform to release the location half an hour before the joust, and whilst a large number of people showed, many missed out.
The original location, Allen Gardens, had to be scrapped after Carden received a warning from Tower Hamlets Council.
This attempt to stop the original joust inadvertently led to two separate events, as the last minute change didn’t reach the crowd who showed up to the original site.
The stranded audience were disappointed before they reportedly picked up some sticks hopped on lime bikes and had an impromptu joust of their own.
Sim Ahmed, from Kiwi and Sim, was in attendance of the makeshift joust, and said: “Honestly I’m glad I went to the original one.
“That other one looks like a corporate PR stunt for Lime or something.”
Despite the safety concerns, the event was adorned on social media, and promises for round two have been announced.
Featured image credit: Andy Twelves
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