Moment cycling menace ploughs into elderly woman and nearly hits a small child while racing through packed city centre for cash in 'alleycat race' while boasting, 'I can do whatever I want… I stop for no one'

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Moment cycling menace ploughs into elderly woman and nearly hits a small child while racing through packed city centre for cash in 'alleycat race' while boasting, 'I can do whatever I want… I stop for no one'

Most recent 'alleycat race' happened in London from August 11 to August 13These races have been common in major cities in the UK for over a decade 

By Miriam Kuepper

Published: 05:35 EDT, 20 August 2023 | Updated: 07:34 EDT, 20 August 2023

This is the moment a cycling menace ploughed into an elderly woman and nearly hit a small child while racing through London in an 'alleycat' race.

Footage filmed by participants in the races across London, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol captured a tourist and an elderly woman being hit as cyclists speed through a red light or ride along the pavement.

The video from the race in London also shows a close-call where a little boy was nearly hit by a man on a bike.

Many competitors ride so-called 'fixies' - fixed wheel bikes - which are illegal to use on public roads.

Thousands watch the videos of the dangerous races on social media, where riders jump traffic lights and zigzag through incoming traffic, nearly run over people crossing the roads or ride the wrong way down a busy street.

The video from the recent race in London also show a close-call where a little boy was nearly hit by a man on a bike

A little boy running across the green light at a zebra crossing was about to be hit by a racing biker, who only managed to swerve at the last second

A 'mission statement' put out by the cyclists reads: 'I'm a biker. A cyclist. 

'A perspiring mass of arrogance hurtling towards you... I can do whatever I want, whenever I want,' the Telegraph reports.

The statement continues: 'The rules of the road are meaningless to me… I stop for nothing. 

'For no one… Also because I have no brakes. Just one singular gear that is virtually impossible to slow. 

'I can't stop. I won't stop… Move.'

Recent videos show the 'grand finale' of the Great Alleycat of London race, which took place from August 11 to August 13.

Cyclists can be seen racing through busy London areas like Trafalgar Square or Oxford Street and getting close to running over pedestrians several times - and even bump into a couple of them. 

Footage filmed by participants in these races happening in major cities London (pictured here), Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol reveal a tourist and an elderly woman being hit by cyclists who speed through a red light or ride along the pavement

Thousands watch the videos of the dangerous races on social media, where different riders jump traffic lights and zigzag through incoming traffic, nearly run over people crossing the roads or ride the wrong way down a busy street

Many competitors in these races ride so-called 'fixies' - fixed wheel bikes - which are illegal to ride on public roads

A little boy running across the green light at a zebra crossing was about to be hit by a racing biker, who only managed to swerve at the last second.

They also zigzagged through pedestrian zones and bumped into several unsuspecting victims. 

A compilation of other dangerous manoeuvres displayed by race participants were proudly shared on Youtube.

On the race organiser's Instagram page, not everyone applauds the dangerous cycling.

One user commented: 'Unfortunately [this] just gives ammunition to the anti cycling brigade and makes life harder for those who don't ride on pavements, jump lights or ride the wrong way down the street.'

They also zigzagged through pedestrian zones and bumped into several unsuspecting victims. A compilation of other dangerous manoeuvres displayed by race participants were proudly shared on Youtube

Recent videos show the 'grand finale' of the Great Alleycat of London race, which took place from August 11 to August 13

Another added: 'Although as a cyclist I fully applaud the skills on display but this is dangerous AF in a city. 

'Nobody knows where they're going to go next so it's an accident waiting to happen.' 

The 'alleycat races' are not a new phenomenon - they have actually been going on for more than two decades in major cities all over the world, like in New York City, where the film Line of Sight revealed insight into the terrifying race.

Under current legislation, cyclists who kill or injure someone by riding recklessly can only be punished with up to two years in prison. 

Motorists on the other hand can be jailed for life if they cause death by dangerous driving.

Former transport secretary Grant Shapps previously called for new legislation, while campaigners say ministers who are in support of the current law fail to protect cyclists.

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