At approximately 5:15pm yesterday I was riding south along the Hackney Cut (this area) when I approached a bunch of 5-6 youths standing around the bollards near Homerton Rd Bridge. They appeared to be chatting and minding their own business, but as I passed through them one turned on my quickly and attempted to push me off my bike. Luckily I was going fast enough that he didn't make full contact and only glanced me. They didn't chase after me or say anything even though I slowed to turn back and look at them, but they didn't run off either - they were just laying in wait for another cyclist. I can only assume their intention was to push me into the canal or dismount me, injure me and then to stab, rob, bash, <insert common youth crime> me.
The kids were aged between 8-16 (mostly or all black kids from what I recall), the one who attempted to push me was the eldest and around 5ft 9 - 5ft 11, wearing a white hoodie (hood up) and skinny/athletic build.
On my way home I warned every north bound cyclist and called the police, whatever good that would have done.
I'm issuing this warning because a kid who looked very similar to the one who pushed me did something similar a few weeks back, but at the time I didn't pay much credence to it.
In a section further north (near the foot bridge) on the route indicated he setup a dangerous trap on a blind corner (south bound). He and two other kids laid a bike across the inside of a blind corner, as I passed by on the outside of the corner (missing the bike) this kid turned and lunged at me. At the time I thought, what a stupid, inconsiderate place to leave your bike and that the lunge was just another kid trying to make cyclists flinch as they pass by. Apparently this is the f**kwits favourite pastime is to cause serious injury and assault people for fun.
If you know anyone who uses this route please warn them of this danger.
The kids were aged between 8-16 (mostly or all black kids from what I recall), the one who attempted to push me was the eldest and around 5ft 9 - 5ft 11, wearing a white hoodie (hood up) and skinny/athletic build.
On my way home I warned every north bound cyclist and called the police, whatever good that would have done.
I'm issuing this warning because a kid who looked very similar to the one who pushed me did something similar a few weeks back, but at the time I didn't pay much credence to it.
In a section further north (near the foot bridge) on the route indicated he setup a dangerous trap on a blind corner (south bound). He and two other kids laid a bike across the inside of a blind corner, as I passed by on the outside of the corner (missing the bike) this kid turned and lunged at me. At the time I thought, what a stupid, inconsiderate place to leave your bike and that the lunge was just another kid trying to make cyclists flinch as they pass by. Apparently this is the f**kwits favourite pastime is to cause serious injury and assault people for fun.
If you know anyone who uses this route please warn them of this danger.
I work in EC1 and live in E3 so I ride north to Tottenham Hale and then south along the canal which is largely more enjoyable than dodging traffic - aside from the apparent risks of attacks. I could ride direct but what fun would 6.5 km be?
