Another video on Facebook shows cyclist being pushed off bike

A video that showed a car passenger leaning out of the vehicle’s window to push a cyclist off his bike has been viewed almost 700,000 times and receiving thousands of ‘likes’ and shares.

The footage was posted on Saturday evening by Facebook user Eoin Maughan, who denied in subsequent post that he was the person doing the pushing, although he may well be the one filming. The video opens with the words, “Right boys, this is the new challenge here.”

As of Monday afternoon, it was not possible to access the video, although it is unclear whether Facebook or the user removed it, or whether it was made private.

It is unclear where it was shot, although the poster appears to be based in the Republic of Ireland, as are many of those commenting on the video, some of whom said they would try something similar themselves – although many others condemned the footage.

It is similar to an incident we reported on in March, prompting concerns that people would mimic that and similar assaults on cyclists and the post footage to social media.

On that occasion, the footage was removed from Facebook by the original poster, although the social network had responded to earlier complaints by refusing to take the post down, saying it was not in breach of its community guidelines.

Cycling Ireland CEO Geoff Liffey, quoted on Independent.ie, said of the latest incident: "There has also been attempts to disrupt cycling events and regular cycling paths by introducing serious hazards on these routes.

"Many of these attacks are of a very serious nature and we would advise any persons who experience or witnesses these attacks to report them to the relevant authorities in the area.

"This incident was a disturbing, cowardly and deliberate attack on a vulnerable cyclist. This kind of behaviour is nothing new, but it's becoming more prevalent," he added.

The newspaper said that the Gardai are appealing for any cyclist involved in such an incident to report the matter.