Cyclists targeted on Birmingham towpaths

A GANG of muggers is operating on the Birmingham canal towpaths, but not against walkers but cyclists, stealing their bikes.

The latest victim is a childrens' eye doctor who was attacked by muggers who tried to push him into the canal to steal his cycle, Allan Richards tells us.

Broken nose

John Ainsworth, was cycling along the Grand Union Canal near Ackers Trust Basin at Tyseley when he was attacked by a gang of four, suffering a broken nose, which happened just a few days after a female cyclist was attacked further along the waterway, who was pushed into the canal and her cycle stolen, and who needed hospital treatment.

Mark Wevill is another who was assaulted on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal, being attacked by a gang and his bike stolen.

No-go area

John Ainsworth told the Birmingham Mail that the towpath was becoming a ‘no-go area' for cyclists or anyone not in a car, like areas of American cities where people drive through with car doors locked, and told that the attackers  had a particular technique, with two two youths standing either side of the towpath so you have to cycle between them. Then one runs from the side and pushes you hard into the canal, with the other cycling off on your bike. Others hide close by is case they are needed in the attack.

In this case he managed to wrest his bike from the muggers and speed off, but had to dismount around an obstacle where the four attackers caught up with him demanding his bike and money, but luckily two people appeared, and the muggers ran off.

Police too busy

Another cyclist also suffering from an attack contacted the police about the problem from gangs along the towpath, but an email from an officer stated: 'It is difficult to direct what limited staff we have to pay specific attention to the canal network'.

However, a police spokesman later told that 'these were really nasty attacks and we are following several lines of enquiry as part of the criminal investigation'.

The problem is obviously having an influence on using the towpath for cycling, and is a set-back to the the Birmingham Cycle Revolution Project that is encouraging the upgrading of more and more towpaths to encourage people to cycle to work and to school.

Councillor Lisa Trickett who is a member of Sustainability, worried at any bad publicity concerning using the towpaths told that there are not any 'no go areas'.  No doubt those attacked would disagree.