Peril of speeding cyclists (From Stroud News and Journal)

Peril of speeding cyclists

AN elderly man who was carried along the pavement in Stroud's Cainscross Road by a speeding cyclist has triggered a step up in police patrols in the area.

Allan Peacey's wife, Jacqueling told the SNJ how her husband was caught on the front of a bicycle and carried along the pavement the length of three houses.

"He stepped out of our gate and was picked up off the ground with one leg each side of the wheel.

"Luckily he was shaken but okay but if it had been someone frail they'd have died of shock and broken bones," she said.

And she added:"I've nearly been knocked over a couple of times and my husband was hit in the chest by a young man cycling." "I come home in the dark when I finish work they ride past you and brush your coat.

"You often don't hear them coming until they are right on top of you and it's frightening, you're not sure if you're being attacked."

She said the worst culprits were fully grown adults, going hell for leather with their heads down as if they were on a race track. "If they hit a toddler they'd probably kill them.

"I know the road is too busy and it's safer for them on the pavement but these cyclists put pedestrians in danger and we've nowhere else to go." Police spokesman Matt ford said patrols would be stepped up in the area.

"We weren't aware that there was a serious problem there, as we have not received an official complaint," he said on Monday.

"But our Police Community Support Officers have been notified of the problem and will be adding it to their patrols.

"Hopefully this will be the end of it but we will be monitoring the situation." Mrs Peacey would like to hear from anyone else who has experienced problems with cyclist on 01453 757367.