CYCLISTS gathered in Boscombe on Friday to show solidarity with those seriously injured when a motorist rammed a protest ride in Brazil.

Riders met outside McDonalds before a ride to show their support for cyclists hurt taking part in a protest ride in the town of Porto Alegre in February.

A man who drove at speed into a group of 120 riders on a ride with transport pressure group Critical Mass, and has been charged with attempted murder.

Tim Crawshaw, 42, a housing association worker from Kinson, said he had been inspired to take part in Bournemouth’s Critical Mass ride by footage of the attack in Brazil.

“I thought it would be good to come out and show solidarity for our Brazilian comrades. The footage was shocking – absolutely shocking,” he said.

Protestors with the Critical Mass group gather in cities across the world on the first Friday of each month to raise awareness of a perceived lack of respect for cyclists by other road users.

Lee Henderson, 39, who rides to work from Bournemouth’s Lansdowne area to Lower Parkstone each day, said: “I thought it was good to show support for the cyclists in Brazil.

“What happened is not acceptable, in the same way that it would be unacceptable to drive into pedestrians.”

Friday’s ride saw riders follow a route from Boscombe to Westbourne, without the aim of intentionally slowing traffic as with some rides in larger cities.

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