An 33-year-old cyclist was punched in the face by a motorist following a disagreement on Dean Row Road.
An altercation between the cyclist and the driver of a silver Vauxhall Astra took place at a set of temporary traffic lights around 10.15am on Saturday, 2nd February.
The victim was punched a number of times and received minor injuries to his face.
Police officers are making enquiries and have been interviewing witnesses to the assault.
Anyone with information should contact Wilmslow Police on 101 quoting incident number 307 of 2 February 2013.
Alternatively information can be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Comments
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At the same time it saddens me to say that there is a significant lawless element amongst Wilmslow's cyclists, some of whom clearly consider themselves above the law, regardless of the danger they cause to others. I tend to walk around town rather than drive, but it is getting to be a rare day when I don't have to jump out of the way of some thug riding illegally on the pavement. Many of them clearly believe that red traffic lights (even at pedestrian crossings) don't apply to them, or that their lives are not worth a set of lamp batteries.
To mention just two events from the last week. On one I was crossing the top of Water Lane. The green man was on for the pedestrian crossing, so both roads had red traffic lights. A cyclist came up from Fulshaw and rather than respect the light rode straight onto the pavement, swept flat out through a crowd of pedestrians and onto Water Lane. On Friday, I was on Grove Street when three yobs (two male, one female) came through at speed in the opposite direction. This is a pedestrian precinct and is very clearly marked at both ends as an area where cycling is prohibited, something which would be obvious anyway. The three looked to be in their mid 20s and were in full high-viz and helmet regalia with expensive looking bicycles, and looked to be very much cycling enthusiasts: who one might expect to have some knowledge of the Highway code. But when some decent citizen challenged them, he was subjected to an abusive reaction that would have shamed a petulant child.
Perhaps it might be time to be even handed between motorists and cyclists by insisting that bikes carry number plates so that they can be identified on CCTV, and reported to the Police by the public when crimes are witnessed. That said, I have also seen in the past (on one of the rare occasions a Police officer has been seen in Wilmslow) an officer wave cheerfully at another cyclist illegally riding on Grove Street and then sweeping at speed into an even more crowded Grove Street Arcade.
Regarding cycle lanes, my impression of the ones around here is that they are 'box ticking' excercises by the local authority. The painted-on ones in particualr are often of little practical use to cyclists. Next time you see a cyclist not using one, perhaps you should ask yourself why? As others have said, they are frequently full of road detritus, potholes, rubbish from the footpath, broken glass etc. they are parked-in by motor vehicles. But worst of all - they are impractical to use at junctions!
Take the cycle path that starts at the Kings Arms roundabout on Knutsford rd, for instance. Its sole purpose in its short length is to make cyclists take to the footpath, dismount, cross Bedells Lane as pedestians pushing their bikes, re-mount on the pavement, then try to re-join the road traffic. The same applies at any major junction!
If I want to be a pedesrian (and I often do) I leave my bike at home!
Cyclists are very aware of the danger to them of a couple of tons of metal often driven by a less than competant driver hurtling past inches (if they are lucky) from their right handlebar. They don't ride in traffic for the thrill of it, but because there's usually no viable alternative if we wish to continue to use this healthy and carbon-friendly means of transport!
Thats a bad move as far as a cyclist is concerned. Slow down and give a wide berth is much better and safer way to pass a cyclist.The sound of a car's engine usually does the trick though, unless they are stupid enough to have an ipod in their ears.!
With regard to cycle paths, Cheshire East must be fairly high up in having the worse, there is a pedestrian/cycle dual use path running from Summerfields/Dean Row by the A34 bring those on foot and bike into the middle of Wilmslow............its one fault is that it has 81 steps, so if you are pushing a pram, on a mobility scooter, have difficulty climbing or on a bike don't bother using it! Likewise the cycle path at the northern end of The Carrs taking cyclist/pedestians away from Styal Road has 41 steps.
I don't disagree for one moment, and if you actually read my post you will see that. I have no gripe against law abiding cyclist (being married to one), I just don't think we should condone one lot of criminals because there are others.