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Appeal for witnesses as cyclist suffers "brutal and unprovoked" assault on Edinburgh bike path

Incident happened on Friday on Ferry Road cycle path

Police in Edinburgh have launched a witness appeal after a cyclist was assaulted on a cycle path on what they say was a “brutal and unprovoked attack” which left the victim needing hospital treatment for facial injuries.

The incident took place at around 2.30pm on Friday afternoon under the Red Bridge near the Crew Toll roundabout on Ferry Road, according to Police Scotland.

The cyclist, a 54-year-old male, was approached by another man, described as “white, of medium build and aged around 30 years old.”

Officers say that the man, who was said to be wearing “a grey jumper, dark grey trousers, dark coloured walking shoes and a blue jacket tied around his waist” and who was walking a Husky-type dog with a lead, assaulted the cyclist “after a brief altercation.”

Detective Constable Douglas Mogg commented: “This was a brutal and unprovoked attack on a cyclist who was using a marked cycle path and it has left the victim injured and badly shaken.”

“We are keen to hear from anyone who saw a man meeting this description around this time or who can supply this man’s identity and they are asked to contact Police on the 101 number or contact 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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12 comments

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Das | 9 years ago
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Interesting enough the Local Anti Cycling Rag, The Edinburgh Evening News, hasn't even printed one word about this. If it had been a cyclist that had have assaulted a pedestrian they would have been all over it like a Tom down Leith docks on pay day.

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Jharrison5 | 9 years ago
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IanEdward | 9 years ago
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Quote:

But the attacker had a Husky, now I'm confused.

Is this just an Edinburgh thing? Huskies appear to be the new Staffies up here, bizarre.

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OldRidgeback replied to IanEdward | 9 years ago
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IanEdward wrote:
Quote:

But the attacker had a Husky, now I'm confused.

Is this just an Edinburgh thing? Huskies appear to be the new Staffies up here, bizarre.

Huskies probably cope better with Edinburgh's seasonal horizontal rain

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Jharrison5 | 9 years ago
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The cycle path is on the Red Bridge. The incident took place beneath it on Ferry Road. The cycle path isn't part of the story.

Also, neither the police or road.cc have correctly spelled Crewe Toll.

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A V Lowe | 9 years ago
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I remember building that path in 1986 - we had running battles with local brick throwers, and the dumper truck driver remained on the driving seat when loading it with material, as it would otherwise be driven away.

Crewe Toll BTW

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OldRidgeback replied to A V Lowe | 9 years ago
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A V Lowe wrote:

I remember building that path in 1986 - we had running battles with local brick throwers, and the dumper truck driver remained on the driving seat when loading it with material, as it would otherwise be driven away.

Crewe Toll BTW

Funny old world, I used to live nearby. If you ever had a spot of luncheon in the Doocot up the road, then our paths probably crossed.

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OldRidgeback | 9 years ago
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The area used to be one of Edinburgh's less than charming locations. It isn't what it used to be, luckily. Brutal and unprovoked attacks used to be commonplace. The YPD and YMD graffiti is long gone. If you've seen the film Trainspotting, 'the worst toilet in Scotland' is just but a short distance away. There is still some pond scum around alas.

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Leviathan replied to OldRidgeback | 9 years ago
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OldRidgeback wrote:

The area used to be one of Edinburgh's less than charming locations. It isn't what it used to be, luckily. Brutal and unprovoked attacks used to be commonplace. The YPD and YMD graffiti is long gone. If you've seen the film Trainspotting, 'the worst toilet in Scotland' is just but a short distance away. There is still some pond scum around alas.

Gentrify the sh!t out of there, the hipsters will take over and push out the uncouth. But the attacker had a Husky, now I'm confused.

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hawkinspeter | 9 years ago
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Was he wearing a helmet?

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Sanderstorm | 9 years ago
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This is why we need number plates on pedestrians...

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danthomascyclist | 9 years ago
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I'm sure the cyclist thoroughly deserved it. He was probably one of those vigilante type that has the audacity to question other people's stupidity.

It's a pity he didn't die so that the perpetrator can have a 9 month suspended sentence.

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