Watch out - it's gone up a level

[neilb]

Just received this via my tri club.

Sounds like people are getting especially viscious now:

Last Saturday two cyclists in the approx 10-strong DeVer cycle club's beginner group were 'body checked' by a motorcycles in Kent (Biggin Hill) resulting in serious injury. It all happened so fast that despite being a fairly large group nobody was able to see and memorise the license plates.
The police are aware and have warned local clubs of a recent trend in cyclists being targeted (typically on quiet roads to avoid witnesses). There have even been reports of cars using ropes with hooks. The police are taking these incidents very seriously, but so far nobody has been caught because it usually happens so quickly that the victims, who often are in shock, are not able to register enough info to identify the attackers. Unless a cyclist has a helmet camera that is recording the incident, it is very hard to get the license plate info.
Please be extra vigilant when cycling and keep safe.

[nick de meyer]

i'm really considering getting one of these and using a helmet cam!!

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... 20105&

[Elliot M]

I also saw this story on a chat channel at work, and while if it did occur it is clearly very serious, there does not currently appear to be a clear source or corroboration (e.g. named police or case number, local news coverage) for this story.

Neil do you have any more information - who did it come from?

[neilb]

Hi, it originally came from a member of Crystal Palace triathletes whoc knows the De Vers guys personally and has the email from them pointing out the injuries received:

As follows:

Giles Barnard of DeVer cycling club was leading some other riders last
Saturday and was attacked and pushed off his bike by someone on a
motorbike in the Biggin Hill area. Result is he has broken his
collarbone in two places, is wearing a sling and won't be riding for at
least 6 weeks. He says "We all need to be careful out there as this was
a completed unprovoked attack. Police have been informed."

DeVer have informed other cycling clubs, just checking that you know as
well!

[Amy]

I had a car drive right at me deliberately a few weeks ago now - swerved away last minute. I was standing in a right turn lane waiting to turn right into Nonsuch Park in Cheam. Tried to remember the number plate but it's bit hard at times like that. My last attempt to report a driver failed - they couldn't track him down even though I gave most of the number plate and a description of the car.

[Elliot M]

Apologies for my misplaced doubt.