Two men pretending to be fixing a flat tyre attacked a cyclist on a scenic route through Durbanville farmland on Tuesday evening, January 10.
The cyclist, who did not want to be named, spotted two men next to a white Opel Corsa bakkie on the downhill section of Malanshoogte Road, just before 6pm.
The men appeared to be busy with a flat tyre, but shoulder charged the cyclist, knocking him off his bike, as he neared the four-way stop with Vissershok Road.
“While on the ground, two men came running towards me, but I managed to get up by the time they reached me,” the cyclist said.
He chased his attackers as they ran off with his bike. As he closed on them, they tossed the bike and drove off. A passing bakkie then gave the cyclist a lift.
The man – who is training for two major cycling events, Iron Man and the Tour of Good Hope – said he often cycled that route because it was relatively free of cars, and it was the first time in seven years he had experienced something like that.
A post about the incident on the Cyclopaths Cycling Club’s Facebook page was shared by about 570 users and sparked concern among the cycling community.
“I was also followed by a very suspect vehicle on Spes Bona a week and a half ago. I, however, showed the people inside that I was very much aware of their presence and they drove past very slowly,” said one post.
Another said: “We were attacked by two men and a pit bull on Saturday on the way to Hermanus, luckily we came off unscathed, and we were six at that time.”
Durbanville police spokesman Captain Marchelle Rhode said they were following up on all leads.
This is the third reported incident since December.
On Monday January 2, three men, two with knives, robbed a cyclist of his Fuji bicycle and TomTom watch, to the value of R31 000, on the Klipheuwel Road, near Durmonte.The incident followed shortly after the police had issued a warning, after two men robbed a cyclist in Wellington Road.
In August, a cyclist from the Kinetic Cycling Club was left with a broken pelvis and ribs, damage to both hips and spinal injuries after he was hit by what is believed to have been a white double-cab bakkie on Saturday August 6 (“Cyclist faces long road to recovery after hit-and-run,” Northern News Thursday August 18).
Captain Rhode said police had identified Klipheuwel Road as a crime hot spot.
The Cyclopaths Cycling Club also called on cyclists not to cycle alone.
Durbanville Community Police Forum chairman Denzil Smerdon said cyclists should stay vigilant and not carry unnecessary valuables. They should also photograph their bikes, noting the
manufacturer’s numbers or identifying features.
“We urge the community to act as eyes and ears for our CPF partners and to report effectively and join the local neighbourhood watch patrol and/or WhatsApp groups,” he said.
Email cpf.durbanville@gmail.com for details or Durbanville police at cdurbanville-saps@saps.org.za