News / Crime
Cyclists being attacked across Bristol by masked men on mopeds
There is growing concern among people who cycle in Bristol following a spate of similar attacks against cyclists by two or three assailants on mopeds with their faces covered.
Numerous incidents have taken place recently resulting in one man in his 60s breaking his collarbone after being pushed off his bike on Feeder Road as he was cycling to work.
Police are urging anyone who has been injured in an attack to report it, and are also telling cyclists to call 999 if an incident has just happened and the moped riders could still be nearby.
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The colleague of the man who broke his collarbone told Bristol24/7: “They tried to get me first but I wasn’t going too fast and put my foot down but my colleague who was about 50m ahead wasn’t so lucky.”
She added: “I’m keen to ensure as many people who cycle in Bristol have knowledge of this and can be vigilant and help to ensure the police are taking this seriously.”
Another cyclist who contacted Bristol24/7 said there has been a “horrifying spike in the number of assaults on cyclists, often by masked moped riders, which have then had no appreciable reaction from the police whatsoever”.
Writing on the Bristol Cyclists Facebook group on Wednesday, one cyclist said: “I got pushed off my bike tonight by x2 people all in black on a moped. They didn’t stop, I heard them laughing as they rode off.
“I’m alright, just got cuts and bruises. It was on Cattle Market Road/Feeder Road, on the Motion side of the tunnel.
“Have reported to Police. Posting here as I see a fellow cyclist was similarly assaulted just over a week ago on Feeder Road. PLEASE be careful in this area or consider a detour if you can.”
In the replies to the post, similar incidents were reported with cyclists being pushed off their bikes by men on mopeds near Cabot Circus, on the Bristol & Bath Railway Path, and on Bedminster Parade, Brislington Parade and Wells Road.
A number of cyclists have been attacked on or near Feeder Road – photo: Martin Booth
Since the start of December, Avon & Somerset Police have received four reports of people being injured after being pushed off their bicycles near Feeder Road.
In a statement to Bristol24/7, a police spokesperson said: “In each case the injured person has said a black moped or motorbike with two or sometimes three riders was involved in pushing them off. The riders always have their faces covered.
“On Tuesday 3 December a man in his twenties called 101 just before 8pm to report being grazed and bruised after an incident on Cattle Market Road at 7.15pm.
“On Wednesday 4 December at 10.40am a woman in her thirties suffered cuts. Her partner called 999 at 10.48am and officers attended, carried out an area tour supported by the council CCTV team and the National Police Air Service helicopter but were unable to locate the suspect.
“On Thursday 5 December at 8.55am a man in his sixties suffered a broken collar bone. The incident was reported by his colleague who called 101 at 9.47am. They were riding to work together, and the suspects attempted to push the woman and succeeded with her colleague.
“The same day at 10.11am a man in his fifties called 101 to report a similar incident at 7.30am in which he suffered cuts and bruising.
“Enquiries continue and officers ask anyone who has witnessed any such assault or who has any dashcam or CCTV footage which could help the police investigations to call 101 and give the reference 5224319409.
“Police also urge anyone who has been injured in a similar incident to report it.
“Please do call 999 if it’s just happened and the suspects could still be in the area.
“Attendance must be prioritised based on the immediate risk of harm, and so officers may not always be available, but the information can be circulated, and such reports inform patrol plans and enable resources to be directed efficiently.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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