Concerns about an increase in crime along a Bristol cycle path have been raised after reports of two recent incidents of bikes being stolen – including one at knifepoint. The two attacks were reported on the Bristol Cyclists Facebook page over the last week. One involved a delivery driver being knocked off his electric bike and another man who reported having his bicycle stolen at knifepoint.
The delivery driver was allegedly knocked off his ebike by three other males on the section of the Bristol toBath Railway Path near The Chocolate Factory housing development. A member of the Bristol Cyclist’sFacebook page who witnessed the incident from a distance, claimed the driver was knocked off his bike and that it was then stolen.
The local group member said they reported the incident to the police and described the victim as ‘shaken’ and ‘very upset’. Writing about the incident on social media he said: “Poor guy, gutted for him, he’s now lost his income as a Deliveroo cyclist and they threatened him saying they had knives (don’t think he saw a knife) then zoomed off towards Fishponds.
“The victim was shaken, very very upset and had a few scrapes but was otherwise okay. Thank you to the passers by who also stopped and offered assistance.
“Be careful after dark out there! It was busy with people walking and cycling and it was such a shock to see how quickly they were able to assault someone and make off with their bike.”
Another member of the Facebook group then posted to say he had his bike stolen at knifepoint near Lawrence Hill station a few days later on Friday, November 9.
The man, desperate to relocate his bike, said: “My beloved Jamis road bike was stolen from me at knifepoint on the Bristol to Bath Railway Path near Lawrence Hill station last night. The lads who took it were riding around on it and I assume it’s been dumped somewhere in that area.”
Group members have responded to the recent posts with calls for a campaign to install CCTV along the path or to organise a ‘buddy stop’ for lone cyclists to travel together after dark, while others have encouraged people to report incidents to the police.
The cyclist, who had hoped that by posting in the group he would relocate his bicycle, added: “I’ll definitely report it to the police when I’m feeling strong enough. I absolutely agree we should be able to cycle the path safely, I’ll be avoiding it for the foreseeable future though unfortunately.
“There are other ways to get home which don’t feel so much like the wild west,” he added. Despite the recent investment along the Bristol to Bath to make it safer, many cyclists in the Bristol group agreed with the man who had his bicycle stolen and said they would also avoid the path too.
Data obtained by Bristol Live via a Freedom of Information request show that, in 2023, a total of ninecrimes committed along the busy cycle route were reported to police. These included two robberies, one sexual assault on a female and six assaults; three of which resulted in actual bodily harm.
But the reported figures may not create an accurate picture of the number of bicycle thefts taking place in the city. While not everyone will report being confronted on the path itself, the Bristol cyclists group is filled with posts documenting people having their bikes stolen while locked up in Bristol.
Another social media user encouraged people in the group to report the Bristol to Bath cycle path on the app ‘safe street’. While there is some CCTV on the path it is located far away from the sections where the recent attacks were reported to have taken place.
Speaking about the recent incidents, Chair of Bristol Cycling Campaign, Ian Pond added: “We are very concerned that there has been a spike in the amount of theft and criminal incidents on the Bristol Bath Railway Path based on the number of reports from path users on social media.
“This is something that seems to increase at this time of year after the clocks go back and so could be anticipated and pre-empted. We will be using our contacts at Bristol andSouth Gloucestershire councils and at Avon & Somerset Police to highlight the concerns of path users and ask for more action to be taken to reassure people who need to use the path.” If you’d like to help us please get in contact via our website (https://bristolcycling.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/)
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “We were called at 6.35pm on Wednesday 6 November to a report of a robbery on the Bristol and Bath Cycle Path in Greenbank. A man was assaulted and his e-bike stolen by three men described as being aged in their 20s and wearing all black clothing with black balaclavas.
“Officers have visited the victim and carried out CCTV enquiries in the area. The investigation remains ongoing.
“If you have any information which could help, call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5224293162. We are working closely with our partners to tackle issues on the cycle path.
“Neighbourhood officers have identified the route has as a priority area and continue to make targeted high-visibility patrols in response to public concerns. All reports are investigated, and we would encourage people to continue to report incidents to us. If a crime is in progress, call 999 or call 101 with any other information.”
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