6 May 2018

Police investigating a series of collisions by profanity-swearing cyclist in Mawson

| Lachlan Roberts
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Police wrap

ACT Policing is investigating a series of collisions where a cyclist rode aggressively at several students, colliding with four pedestrians in Mawson on Friday 13 April.

The collisions occurred at approximately 9.30 am when a large group of students were taking part in a school cross-country event on a public shared path, near the ACT Healthy Waterways construction area on Athllon Drive.

The cyclist was heard yelling profanities towards the students before he allegedly swerved close to several of them. He then knocked one student to the ground, causing minor injuries, and came off his bike in the process.

After re-mounting, the cyclist proceeded to knock down a further three students, riding over the foot of one of them, causing him injuries.

The cyclist is described as of Caucasian appearance, approximately 25-30 years old, of thin build with a light/grey beard and a deep voice.

At the time the cyclist was wearing shorts, a grey singlet, a grey cap, with his clothing described as tattered or torn. He was riding a maroon-coloured mountain bike.

Police ask that anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has video footage, or who may be able to identify the cyclist, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.

Please quote reference 6256737. Information can be provided anonymously.

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This incident also seems to demonstrate how the Canberra Times has lost its way,

IT was reported by the web version of that paper on Sunday: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/cyclist-allegedly-knocks-down-four-school-students-on-aggressive-ride-20180506-p4zdol.html

The ABC had reported it on Friday:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-04/canberra-police-hunt-for-cyclist-who-mowed-down-school-kids/9728856

Our “local” paper is nearly 2 days behind the ABC in reporting a local story.

Not a very good effort at all.

That person sounds mentally disturbed, so getting a registration plate would mean nothing to them. They probably wouldn’t bother. Luckily they weren’t driving a car, as has happened in some incidents. This illustrates the difference in damage a bicycle and car can do.

Capital Retro9:51 am 06 May 18

Now if there was a rego/ID plate on that bicycle the job of the police would be a lot easier.

I see the government has allocated some $50k for equipment to see if vehicles are keeping the regulated 1 metre distance from bikes. This money would be better spent creating a bicycle licensing system with ID plates to be clearly displayed.

Matt Donnelly11:08 am 06 May 18

Does this bloke strike you as the type to correctly display his plates? Does this bloke strike you as the type to even have plates? Because this bloke strikes me as the type to ride around on a stolen bike, without any plates.

So because someone might break a hypothetical law, we shouldn’t have the law?

Well that’s it then, better get rid of all laws that people break then, they’re clearly useless.

Matt Donnelly11:51 am 07 May 18

Nope, not saying that at all. Capital Retro stated that, in this case, “if there was a rego/ID plate on that bicycle the job of the police would be a lot easier”. I disagree.

That explained, I don’t support rego plates for bicycles for the same reason I don’t think jogging shoes should be registered; there’s very little to be gained from it.

Your argument is clearly that registration and licence plates doesn’t make identification easier because some people (or this person) might break the law.

If registration was in place and this person was consistently riding around without plates, it’s clear that the police’s job identifying him would have been easier, the exact same way it would be for cars because it would stand out as an exception.

Whether it’s worth the money or effort is another argument entirely.

Capital Retro10:24 pm 07 May 18

We are talking about someone using a bike as a lethal weapon as the offender attempted to knock down four people in this incident.

A few months ago a bike rider at high speed on an illegal electric bike knocked down a schoolgirl near Fadden Primary School causing serious injuries to her. The police were investigating but I am not aware of the outcome of their enquiries. In this case the offender was detained at the scene so a registration number on the bike would not have assisted the police but it could have prevented the registration of an illegal bike earlier had appropriate regulations been in place.

I fear that nothing will happen until there is a fatality and I have always believed that prevention is better than cure so how about out Police Minister gets the wheels turning.

In the meantime if I meet this villain I hope he gives me the choice of a beating with his unregistered jogging shoes instead running me down on his unregistered bike.

You are being ridiculous. Given there are more bikes in Australia than people, please explain how bike registration plates could ever be practically implemented? Especially when any one person can ride any number of bikes. It would be cheaper and more practical to make ID t-shirts mandatory for all citizens at all times. Just imagine – 100% of crime eliminated overnight!

Capital Retro10:38 am 08 May 18

That same person can drive any number of cars. You really do not want understand the problem do you.

Matt Donnelly12:11 pm 08 May 18

I don’t think there is a problem. Registration is for dangerous stuff like cars and firearms, not something kids ride around.

I don’t believe a few drongos knocking people over justifies implementation of an expensive national scheme that will add costs to a healthy activity we should be encouraging participation in.

Has registration of bicycles taken off in other parts of the world? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a licence plate on a pushbike.

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