Met Police appeal after cyclist kicked off bike by moped rider in Dagenham

The Metropolitan Police is appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was kicked off his bike by a moped rider in Dagenham.

The attack left the cyclist with two broken fingers.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said that officers were called to the area at 17:33 on Friday January 16 after reports of an incident involving a moped rider and a cyclist.

The moped rider allegedly kicked the cyclist, who was on his bike at the time, at the zebra crossing outside Goresbrook leisure centre near the A13.

Police say they don't have a description of the moped rider and pillion.

DC Nainesh Desai said: “We are appealing for anyone who may have seen a cycle and moped at the zebra crossing on the A13 near the Goresbrook Leisure centre on Friday, 16 January at 17:33hrs.

"Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the appeal number on 020 3276 1090 or 101 quoting ref 5100841/15."

There is no suggestion of a link between this and a January 2014 incident in which a cyclist was kicked by a moped rider, police say.

The victim of that attack, Chi Yong La was riding on New Kent Road, taking the lane because of bad weather and potholes, when a man on a moped rode up on his left “shouting something about ‘is the middle of the road yours...’” Chi said.

When Chi pointed out the potholes and invited the motorcyclist to pass him properly, on the right, the man attempted to kick him as he pulled away.

Chi lodged a complaint with the police, but was disappointed to be told that despite his helmet camera footage of the incident showing the moped's registration, the police would not investigate because there were no independent witnesses.