A cyclist from Cumbria has spoken of how he was knocked off his bike by a speeding driver – and was then punched repeatedly by a passenger from the vehicle.
The incident happened at around 7.15pm on Monday evening close to the Tally Ho pub in Schneider Road, Barrow, reports the North West Evening Mail.
The victim, a 32-year-old man named only as Alan, sustained a broken nose in the attack.
He said:" I was riding back from a group and after a car came speeding around the corner, I got knocked off my bike.
“A man, who was the passenger, got out of the car and punched me four times in the face.
“He ran of the car so quickly – I was just completely shocked.
"The woman who was driving was shouting out of the window trying to get the man to stop.
“I still feel shaken up from it and anxious to even go out.”
Alan’s partner Rebecca, aged 33, described her shock when she saw him on his return to their home.
She said: “He was so distraught when he came home with blood everywhere.
“It was just that initial shock of seeing him and I immediately thought he got knocked over, but then to find he had been both knocked over and punched and attacked was awful.
“It’s hard to get your head around that someone could do this and it was awful to see particularly for our one-year-old daughter.”
He went to Furness General Hospital but will reportedly have to wait a week for the swelling on his nose to subside sufficiently so his injury can be treated.
Police are investigating the assault, and have said that the vehicle involved was a Vauxhall Meriva.
The attacker is described as a white male aged around 30 and of medium build, 6 feet in height and with black hair.
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19 comments
I have just stuck both New York chains on my newish kitchen scales, the standard is 3kg, the Fagadabadit is at 4kg. Wow, never knew. The weighty cost of keeping my bicycles.
It's the older one, so a little thinner on the links, also a bit shorter, it's for my good bike, Ti hardtail MTB. I want it to be there when I get back. Utility cylist and commuter, if out for a proper ride will take the lighter new york chain (old) which would be the minimum I would trust.
Did drop it on my foot once, lucky not to break bones.
For my new bike (which might only be a few weeks away, rohloff problems) I may buy a Pragmasis 16mm chain, if it will fit through the spokes, but that will be a leave at work lock.
I wear them over the shoulder too, other side than the courier bag, you get used to it. The price of keeping the bicycle. And as I said, remarkably calming to people being aggressive.
13mm should be(more than) enough, I can tell you it's heavy enough!
Of only passengers were licenced and insured and cars fitted with number plates to identify passengers!
I did once have a drunken passenger attempt to get out of a moving vehicle, three times, before the car came to a stop. All I did was comment on a very close pass at a pedestrian refuge pinch point. His aggression melted away when I removed my Kryptonite New York Fagadabadit chain and held it in a defensive manner.
Wow, I've just looked that chain up, do you really ride with a 7kg lock in your panniers? That's some serious training!
Good man. Everyone on a bike in this country should carry some means of defending himself or herself.
I prefer to tow along a fat man for that purpose
Atomic_Bomb_Fat_Man_Collection_001.jpg2d28529a-7d61-4997-88aa-95a07cbb1747Default.jpg
Useless bastards at amazon don't sell those.
Try eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KORA-Models-1-72-FAT-MAN-ATOMIC-BOMB-w-Bomb-Trolley/132498669509?hash=item1ed9893fc5:g:s4gAAOSwp7tafPm2
See if you can pick up one of these to add a bit of spice to it:
rt5pwZP.jpg
I'm told that the best form of self-defence is beat a hasty retreat, otherwise, I guess it's look scary, failing that, block and counter attack. Actually using an implement, I suppose comes under reasonable force, and the item not being carried specifically as a 'weapon'... Zefal HPx pump looks quite imposing. edit
You could always sacrifice your bike to block attacks.
Unhook the chain then have the chainrings do their worst on the assailant.
One thing that has always surprised me is that every single video I've seen where a car driver gets out of his car and threatens a cyclist - or actually strikes the cyclist - is characterised by the retreat of the latter.
You are not a punchbag, and you are not a child whom drivers can 'punish'. This is the correct way to deal with the selfish fucks in their cars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0GO0RfhYdo (some swearing so maybe turn the volume down if you're in the office)
Mate of mine (who happened to be a retired marine) was threatened once by an irate driver. He calmly replied in his best emotionless Belfast accent. That if the aggressor was going to hit him he had better ensure that he put him down first time. The driver then hesitated. Went three shades whiter. And meekly returned to his car. Always have a wing man I say.
https://fubarbicycleproducts.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/ck-ulock-displa...
I wonder if it was a case of mistaken identity, and that the motorist and his passengers were looking to 'do over' someone in particular...
If they do catch him it will be a £10 fine and a kitkat.
2 fingers or 4?
And the motorist, careless driving maybe, driving without due care and attention almost definitely and not stopping at the scene.
I hope they catch this scumbag, that's just horrible.