Cyclists using the Lower Church Street routes and in the vicinity of the railway have been urged to report incidents of crime to police as attacks have reportedly spiked in the area.

Police confirmed a case of robbery with a firearm was opened for investigation at Woodstock police station after a 60-year-old cyclist was robbed of his personal belongings.

Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said: “Reports suggested that the complainant, a male aged 60, was cycling in Lower Church Street, Woodstock, on December 8, at around 6am.

Unidentified armed males approached him and robbed him of his valuables at gunpoint.

“The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.”

Concerned cyclist, Neil Benjamin, said the section of road on the N1 between Lower Church Street turn-off to Woodstock has become the most dangerous section of road to cycle.

“Our group got attacked on the way into town (at the weekend) by three assailants brandishing fake pistols, pepper spray and knives. Thankfully, we managed to get away but not without a fight which thankfully the group won, sending the cowards running for cover.”

But on their return out of town, they were again confronted by a larger group of assailants and had to retreat back to town.

“The road in and out of town is no longer a viable route for cyclists to use. The police station in Woodstock received reports of muggings on this section of road each day. Targeting cyclists has become a lucrative business. The main reason cyclists have resorted to using the N1 is that the frequency and level of danger have become too much to bear while using the cycle path.

“That cycle path adjacent to the MyCiTi bus route is a veritable death trap and completely off-limits to cyclists,” said Benjamin.

The Pedal Power Association (PPA) has urged any victims of crime to report the incidents as they build up a case file in their endeavour to get SAPS visible patrols bolstered in the area.

PPA’s Steve Hayward said they have received a number of reports emanating from the Woodstock area and have flagged it as a hotspot area and added it to the website under its Safe Cycling initiative where cyclists are able to inform and familiarise themselves with the dangers of the area.

“It is a huge problem. The suspects are not taking bikes but they are taking cellphones and money. It is a nightmare, the City wants the (city) as a tourist attraction for cyclists as well but people ... are scared. It is such a pity that a cycle route all the way from Melkbos all the way through town was built but cannot be used because people are scared. It is a waste of money. We do urge cyclists to please cycle in groups but also importantly to report incidents to police so that more patrols can be done in the area as the statistics will reflect the need for it,” said Hayward.

For more information, visit PPA at https://bit.ly/3BxOO9E

Anyone with information on the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop at 0860010111, or SMS Crime Line at 32211.

Cape Times