Police seek Manchester driver who hit cyclist in possible road rage attack

Greater Manchester Police have issued an appeal to trace a motorist who struck a cyclist, causing him to be thrown over his car’s bonnet and leaving him lying in the road in what seems to be a road rage incident last Wednesday lunchtime in Fallowfield, Manchester. However, whether the motorist deliberately drove at the bike rider appears unlcear for now.

The cyclist, 21-year-old Manchester University student Alexander Foreman, outlined to the Manchester Evening News his recollection tof the incident that happened on Egerton Road at 1.10pm on Wednesday 1 February. 

"I was cycling along when a car clipped me with his wing mirror,” Mr Foreman explained. “I heard him [the motorist] swear loudly, even with his windows wound up, and he became really angry.

"I just wanted to get away so I cycled on. At the traffic lights [at the junction with Wilmslow Road], he mounted the kerb and the next thing I knew I was on his bonnet. It was all over really quickly," added the cyclist, who escaped with nothing worse than cuts and bruises.

"People don’t realise how vulnerable cyclists are when they are on the road,” he continued. “If you are in a car, you weigh about a tonne. If you’re on a bike, you weigh about 100kg.

"Motorists need to be aware of the damage that can be done," he added.

A statement issued by Greater Manchester Police makes no mention about whether it is being treated as a road rage incident nor whether they believe the motorists deliberately targeted the cyclist.

"A gold coloured Toyota Yaris which had mounted the kerb in an effort to pass waiting cars collided into him, forcing the man onto the bonnet of the car," it said. "The victim then fell off and the Yaris drove off without checking on the cyclist’s welfare."

Police describe the driver of the vehicle involved as being an Asian male with stubble, and Detective Constable Richard Lees said: "This man did not even bother to check on the person he had driven into.

“His impatience meant he had little regard for other road users and we therefore need to catch him as soon as possible.

"We are appealing to any of the motorists who witnessed the incident, particularly those who may have made a note of the registration number to come forward."

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to contact police on 0161 856 6090 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.