Cyclists say they are lucky nobody was seriously injured after tacks were discovered on the roads inside Regents Park as the row over a proposed new cycle superhighway in north west London escalates.
Around six cyclists reported they were left with punctured tyres following the two incidents which were reported on Friday at around 7am on the Outer Circle by Gloucester Gate and on October 13th in the Inner Circle.
Justin Mckie, from Regents Park Cyclists group, said: “Five or six cyclists got in touch with me to say they had tacks in their tyres and had spotted the tacks on the road. The cyclists themselves picked them up and sorted it.
“I reported it to the police and the Royal Parks. Luckily nobody was injured.”
The Regents Park Cyclists group tweeted: “Two separate reports of tacks being thrown down on the road inside Regent’s Park”
Cyclists have been warned to be careful when using these routes.
Although there were no injuries in these incidents, tacks on the road can cause a great danger to cyclists.
Last year a cyclist suffered cuts and bruises after crashing at 35 miles per hour when tacks were sprinkled on the road during a Velothon in Wales.
Mr Mckie said: “Cyclists doing laps generally travel at around 20mph, so getting a puncture which causes loss of control will quite often leave the rider on the floor and most likely injured. If that’s in front of a car, then that’s the big concern.”
The current risk to cyclists from vehicles using Regents Park were highlighted a month ago after a cyclist was left seriously injured after smashing through the rear windscreen of a parked car. The car was parked in a designated bay but during restricted hours.
The 30-year-old man was rushed to hospital after emergency services were called to the incident, on the park’s Outer Circle near Winfield House, the official residence of US ambassador to the UK.
Sides in the escalating battle over CS11, running from Swiss Cottage gyratory to the West End have become increasingly polarised following consultation on the scheme.
Groups from both sides came face to face at a demonstration on October 8 outside Hampstead Theatre.
Opponents say the plans to reroute the Swiss Cottage gyratory and cut lane capacity in half and close part of Regents Park to motorists during peak times will cause traffic gridlock in Hampstead, St John’s Wood and the surrounding areas.
But those in favour of the scheme, including the Regents Park Cyclists (RPC), have accused opponents of scaremongering and feel CS11 is a much-needed and vital link and will also encourage many people who would be too scared to cycle into central London to live healthier lifestyles and cut pollution and increase safety for cyclists.
A final decision on CS11 is expected from City Hall next month.
There is no evidence these recent incidents in Regent’s Park were deliberate sabotage.
Updates on this story and a reaction from the Metropolitan Police will be in the Ham&High next week.
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