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Redhill cycle race 'sabotaged' by drawing pin attack | Redhill cycle race 'sabotaged' by drawing pin attack |
(7 days later) | |
A cycle race in Surrey was "sabotaged" by drawing pins being dropped on the course, organisers have said. | A cycle race in Surrey was "sabotaged" by drawing pins being dropped on the course, organisers have said. |
Several riders had to abandon Saturday's Redhill Cycle Club road race after pins placed near Newdigate punctured their tyres. | Several riders had to abandon Saturday's Redhill Cycle Club road race after pins placed near Newdigate punctured their tyres. |
Nobody was injured but race organiser Adrian Webb said the incident could have been "incredibly dangerous". | Nobody was injured but race organiser Adrian Webb said the incident could have been "incredibly dangerous". |
Surrey Police said it would prosecute anyone who deliberately put dangerous items on the road. | Surrey Police said it would prosecute anyone who deliberately put dangerous items on the road. |
Redhill Cycle Club has cancelled some future road races in the area following the incident. | Redhill Cycle Club has cancelled some future road races in the area following the incident. |
Mr Webb said deliberately puncturing the tyres of riders not only risked injuring cyclists who were reaching speeds of up to 37mph (60km/h), but also caused significant damage to bikes. | |
He said he knew of "at least three people who had tyres wrecked" and that repairs could cost in excess of £100 each. | He said he knew of "at least three people who had tyres wrecked" and that repairs could cost in excess of £100 each. |
Roads around Surrey have become increasingly congested with cyclists who are taking part in races or riding for leisure. | Roads around Surrey have become increasingly congested with cyclists who are taking part in races or riding for leisure. |
Areas used during the London Olympics, such as Box Hill, have proved particularly popular. | Areas used during the London Olympics, such as Box Hill, have proved particularly popular. |
Mr Webb said the relationship between cyclists and local communities needed to improve. | Mr Webb said the relationship between cyclists and local communities needed to improve. |
"I think we can do more to help people understand when things are happening and the fact that the disruption will be very minimal", he said. | "I think we can do more to help people understand when things are happening and the fact that the disruption will be very minimal", he said. |
Rob Sharland, a cyclist who took part in Saturday's race, said that while he managed to avoid the pins, he had experienced incidents where cyclists were being targeted by other road users. | Rob Sharland, a cyclist who took part in Saturday's race, said that while he managed to avoid the pins, he had experienced incidents where cyclists were being targeted by other road users. |
He said he was hit by an orange juice can that was thrown at him while cycling last year. | He said he was hit by an orange juice can that was thrown at him while cycling last year. |
Some community leaders have blamed cyclists for antagonising locals. | Some community leaders have blamed cyclists for antagonising locals. |
David Preedy, leader of Mole Valley District Council, believes Saturday's incident "reflects the pressure on local communities due to the big increase in the amount of cycling". | David Preedy, leader of Mole Valley District Council, believes Saturday's incident "reflects the pressure on local communities due to the big increase in the amount of cycling". |
He added that while situations where riders were attacked were "unacceptable", residents had complained to him about some cyclists behaving badly. | He added that while situations where riders were attacked were "unacceptable", residents had complained to him about some cyclists behaving badly. |
"We need active work by people like our MPs to get the national regulations changed so we can get a grip on this situation", he said. | "We need active work by people like our MPs to get the national regulations changed so we can get a grip on this situation", he said. |
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