Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Cyclist ‘pulled from bike and kicked’ after close pass in Gloucestershire

Incident happened in same area where family was verbally abused while cycling last month

Police in Gloucestershire have appealed for information after a cyclist was allegedly pulled from his bike and kicked by the occupants of a car whose driver had just made a close overtake on him.

The incident, which happened at around 12.55pm on Sunday 3 May, took place in the same area where a family was verbally abused while out for a bike ride last month.

According to the Gloucestershire Echo, police say that an altercation took place between the cyclist, a male aged 20, and the car’s occupants before he was pulled off his bike and kicked.

The incident, which happened near the Pilot Inn bridge in Hardwicke, around four miles south west of Gloucester, resulted in the cyclist sustaining unspecified injuries, although he declined medical treatment.

Police believe that the car involved was a Volkswagen Golf and say that the incident was watched by a number of people.

Anyone who has information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 161 of May 3.

Last month, Gloucestershire Live reported that a woman had posted on Facebook about an incident in which she said she and her family had been subjected to verbal abuse while cycling in the Hardwicke area.

“Find it very upsetting,” she wrote. “Whilst out on a family cycle ride in my local area. The verbal rude abuse.

“Even from a farmer in Hardwicke and another family. We are using our 1 hour of exercise doing something we enjoy. Following the government guidelines.

“Let’s all be nice to each other please,” she added.

That final sentiment was echoed yesterday by British Cycling and Cycling UK in a joint open letter published by the organisations yesterday which urged an “end [to] hostility towards cyclists.”

The letter was written following a number of incidents in recent weeks including signs being erected telling riders to stay away from villages, tacks being spread on the road and aggressive driving.

In its conclusion, the letter called on “the public to show tolerance, warmth and care towards the overwhelming majority who continue to do so.”

> End hostility towards cyclists urge British Cycling and Cycling UK

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
Christian Brailsford | 3 years ago
2 likes

I work in a hospital and whilst ridding home after a long day at work a guy pulled along side me wound his window down and verbally abused me for using 'his' road and then purposefully swerved into me knocking me off and causing minor damage and some cuts and bruises.

He then stopped and got out of his car an verbally abused me some more whilst I was lying in the road.

The police were called by a passer by and later told me that 'cyclists do p*ss car drivers off and that if I continue to cycle on the road then I should expect this type of behaviour.'

I was totally appauled and shocked by the behaviour and response of both parties!

Avatar
Hirsute replied to Christian Brailsford | 3 years ago
3 likes

I have a camera now precisely due to the way some drivers behave.

You do though need to make a formal complaint about the police response.

Avatar
brooksby | 3 years ago
15 likes

Just remember, people: this is Absolutely Nothing to do with the current level of tabloid journalism...

Avatar
ktache replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
9 likes

It's not just tabloid...

Avatar
Sriracha replied to brooksby | 3 years ago
2 likes

nor to do with government advice telling cyclists to cycle walking distance only - so basically shouldn't be out at all really.

Avatar
njblackadder replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
9 likes

A little correction there if you don't mind. There is no government advice telling cyclists in England (where Gloucester still is) to cycle walking distance only!

Avatar
Sriracha replied to njblackadder | 3 years ago
2 likes

Hence why I said it was nothing to do with that!
 3

Avatar
Judge dreadful replied to njblackadder | 3 years ago
6 likes

njblackadder wrote:

A little correction there if you don't mind. There is no government advice telling cyclists in England (where Gloucester still is) to cycle walking distance only!

Nor is there a limit of 1 hour exercise.

Latest Comments