Want more news from across Surrey? Sign up to our daily newsletter! Sign up for free Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Drawing pins were thrown onto the road in an apparent attempt to sabotage a Surrey cycling event, as tension over the number of bike events in the county continues to grow.

Participants in the Redhill Cycle Club road race on Saturday (June 28) had to withdraw from the competition when they went over the tacks and suffered punctures near Newdigate.

There were no injuries, but race organiser Adrian Webb said the culprits were ‘lucky nobody was killed’.

“This was very serious and hugely dangerous,” he said. “I don’t think the people who did this, probably thinking they were having a laugh, actually thought through the harm that they could have caused.

“If you have someone go over those pins at 20 or 25mph in a peloton of 60 cyclists and they come off the bike, the injuries could be serious or even fatal.

“I couldn’t believe it when it happened. There were riders just walking their bikes with pins through the wheels.”

Tension between cyclists and motorists has risen in recent years, as the Olympics inspired more cycle events and road closures.

Opponents have launched petitions against high levels of cycling in Mole Valley and a triathlon in Cranleigh met angry protests and did not return for a second year.

Mr Webb said: “I think people need to move away from this dangerous mindset that they need to save those few seconds on the road by dangerously overtaking a cyclist. We share the roads and cyclists are more vulnerable. You keep hearing the argument that cyclists hold up traffic. The simple fact is that cyclists are traffic just as much as cars are.

“There needs to be less opposition and more working together. We have been a cycling club since the 1950s. This is not a new thing. Yes there is an increase, but communication and respect are important.”

He added that two of the cyclists struck by the drawing pins were in the armed forces.

“These people think they are having a laugh and they could have seriously injured people who spend their time fighting for this country,” he said. “That would have been a terrible situation.”

A Surrey Police spokesman said: “Surrey Police is dedicated to keeping the roads of Surrey safe for all users and regularly patrols routes which are popular with cyclists.

“Officers actively encourage people to report any suspicious activity to them and work closely with local partners as part of the Cycle Smart scheme.

“Deliberately putting items on the road which can cause damage to bikes and other vehicles is not only a criminal offence which offenders will be prosecuted for if they are caught but this behaviour can also have serious, possibly life threatening consequences.

“Surrey Police will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and anyone with information on who is responsible for such offences is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101.

“Information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."