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Police seek Manchester driver who hit cyclist in possible road rage attack

Student describes how motorist knocked him off bike in incident last Wednesday

Greater Manchester Police have issued an appeal to trace a motorist who struck a cyclist, causing him to be thrown over his car’s bonnet and leaving him lying in the road in what seems to be a road rage incident last Wednesday lunchtime in Fallowfield, Manchester. However, whether the motorist deliberately drove at the bike rider appears unlcear for now.

The cyclist, 21-year-old Manchester University student Alexander Foreman, outlined to the Manchester Evening News his recollection tof the incident that happened on Egerton Road at 1.10pm on Wednesday 1 February. 

"I was cycling along when a car clipped me with his wing mirror,” Mr Foreman explained. “I heard him [the motorist] swear loudly, even with his windows wound up, and he became really angry.

"I just wanted to get away so I cycled on. At the traffic lights [at the junction with Wilmslow Road], he mounted the kerb and the next thing I knew I was on his bonnet. It was all over really quickly," added the cyclist, who escaped with nothing worse than cuts and bruises.

"People don’t realise how vulnerable cyclists are when they are on the road,” he continued. “If you are in a car, you weigh about a tonne. If you’re on a bike, you weigh about 100kg.

"Motorists need to be aware of the damage that can be done," he added.

A statement issued by Greater Manchester Police makes no mention about whether it is being treated as a road rage incident nor whether they believe the motorists deliberately targeted the cyclist.

"A gold coloured Toyota Yaris which had mounted the kerb in an effort to pass waiting cars collided into him, forcing the man onto the bonnet of the car," it said. "The victim then fell off and the Yaris drove off without checking on the cyclist’s welfare."

Police describe the driver of the vehicle involved as being an Asian male with stubble, and Detective Constable Richard Lees said: "This man did not even bother to check on the person he had driven into.

“His impatience meant he had little regard for other road users and we therefore need to catch him as soon as possible.

"We are appealing to any of the motorists who witnessed the incident, particularly those who may have made a note of the registration number to come forward."

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 6090 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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.

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7 comments

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paulfrank | 12 years ago
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If it's in Manchester the driver most likely wasn't insured so definately wasn't going to stop.

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Lacticlegs replied to paulfrank | 12 years ago
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Does anyone else find it insidious that the police have ascribed a 'reasonable' motive to the driver?

He mounted the curb in an effort to get past other cars due to 'impatience'.

Hmmm - well that's okay then. He didn't have an incident on the road that he then decided to polish off by deliberately driving at the cyclist. No, no - he was merely in a hurry, the cyclist (most inconsiderately) ended up across the bonnet, and the driver neglected to stop and check on his welfare...

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OldRidgeback | 12 years ago
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Have to say that I don't hold out much hope for the driver being caught.

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Spangly Shiny | 12 years ago
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Gold Yaris, in Manchester? Not so unusual methinks.

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paulrattew | 12 years ago
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It shouldn't be that difficult to find the car. Who the f*ck drives a GOLD yaris? Total gimp-mobile

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Coleman | 12 years ago
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Unbelievable. I hope they get the bar steward.

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Johnbosley replied to Coleman | 12 years ago
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Coleman wrote:

Unbelievable. I hope they get the bar steward.

You can't really blame the Bar Steward. He might have thought the driver was going to walk home!

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