A MYSTERY driver has been assaulting cyclists by pushing them off their bikes.

Police are hunting the occupants of a gold coloured car who twice within 30 minutes tried to push cyclists off their bikes in Poole.

“They are going to kill someone,” said Eamonn Deane, chairman of Bournemouth Jubilee Wheelers and Daily Echo cycling columnist.

“If someone knocks me off they are going to kill me,” he said. "The impact of an incident like that is huge on all the people involved.

“There is, I feel, an increase in aggressiveness, I have noticed that over the years.”

No-one was hurt in these sudden attacks but regular cyclists can relate a catalogue of incidents with “angry” motorists turning on them. 

“We all worry about each other riding on the road because of these things that happen,” said Anne Stevens, secretary and treasurer of Bournemouth Arrow Cycling Club.

She said she had been cycling with a companion in the country when a man in a van thumped him on the back as they passed. And on another occasion a cyclist had blue paint thrown over him from a passing van.

Police believe there may have been other victims of the gold car and are urging people to come forward.

“These were unprovoked assaults on cyclists,” said PC Paul Diffey of Poole police.

The first took place at 6.30am on Sunday, September 2 when a 40-year-old Poole woman was shoved off her bike while cycling along Sandbanks Road. She was not seriously injured. 

Witnesses and anyone with information can call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident 2:155

The second reported incident was at 6.55am along the Upton bypass when an attempt was made to push a 64-year-old man from Poole off his bike. He managed to stay on his bicycle and was uninjured.

“As we had two reports involving this gold coloured car within half an hour, I suspect that there might have been further incidents and I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a similar incident to contact Dorset Police,” said PC Diffey.

“I would also like to speak with anyone who witnessed these assaults, or has any information about those responsible.”