Cyclist's shocking act as child blocks path
A road rage cyclist who appeared to deliberately stick out his knee to knock over a child that was blocking his way is being investigated by police.
The footage was shot by the child’s dad Patrick Mpasa on Christmas Day at a nature Park in Belgium.
Mr Mpasa was recording his family walking through the winter landscape with snow on the ground and on the branches of nearby trees when the incident occurred.
His young daughter can be seen wrapped up in pink winter clothing with a scarf and gloves as she stood alongside her mother when the cyclist approached from behind.
Instead of waiting for the infant to be pulled out of the way by her mum and dad, the cyclist peddles around her and seemingly deliberately puts his leg out, striking her in the back and sending her flying onto the snow-covered ground.
In the footage, what could be a bicycle bell can be heard, but with their winter clothing the mother and daughter apparently did not hear it.
Mr Mpasa shared the footage on social media asking if people agreed that he was right to complain to police.
He said he had chased after the man and managed to make him stop but that he had been unrepentant.
Police investigate cyclist knocking over child
Public prosecutors have confirmed they are aware of the video and are looking into the incident.
The family believe that if it had been an accident, the man would have stopped to check that the child was okay instead of just speeding off.
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"He explained what happened and asked us to withdraw the complaint to police, but he showed no remorse and did not apologise," Mr Mpasa said.
Mr Mpasa said that he was not seeking revenge but wanted to share the images on social media to "raise awareness" about dangerous situations on the road.
"A lot of people tell me that I should have hit him, but I don't agree and in any case, I was in front of my children which would have made things even worse for them. I also don't want a witch hunt, I just want him to apologise," he said.
The local cyclist Association GRACQ, which has seen the video, describe the man's behaviour as "unacceptable".
They said he had an obligation to give priority to weaker road users, which in this case were the people walking.
They said they understand that the cyclist did not want to have to stop, but that did not justify knocking the child over.
It was not revealed whether cyclists were allowed on the path at the nature reserve.
Australscope
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