MORE must be done to ensure cyclists respect pedestrians on Swindon’s streets, says a disgruntled Penhill man.

John Bowie, 40, is considering wearing a body camera every time he leaves the house after being struck by reckless cyclists on a number of occasions.

He has backed calls to introduce a new law to tackle dangerous cycling, but believes the Government should go further.

John said: “Over the time I have lived in Swindon, I have been a victim of cyclists striking me with their push bikes multiple times.

"I find it distressing and it makes me angry that nothing is being done.”

Earlier this week, he says he was struck by a wayward cyclist and knocked to the ground, even though he was wearing a hi-vis top.

And he claims to have been the victim of numerous assaults following bust-ups with cyclists.

“Just last week when my wife used a wheelchair in town, she was narrowly missed by a cyclist speeding through,” he said.

“It has now come to the point where for my own safety I may need to wear a camera every time I go out, though I feel uncomfortable about doing this.”

John takes issue with cyclists riding on the pavement and pointed to the Highway Code which, under Rule 64, states: “You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.”

He also complained of the speeds at which they cycle through public spaces such as the town centre.

The comments follow September’s landmark case in which Kim Briggs died after being struck by a bicycle ridden by 20-year-old Charlie Alliston.

The fixed-gear bike did not have a front brake, which is already an offence for a road-going bicycle, but Alliston was convicted under a Victorian law.

Now ministers are seeking independent legal advice on the introduction of a specific law with which to convict dangerous cyclists.

John said: “Following the recent national case of a woman killed by a cyclist, there are calls for the law to be updated, which I fully agree with.

“But I would go beyond that and look for a new department to be established to police the changed law, teach cycle safety and look at licensing push bikes.”

However, one woman has spoken in passionate defence of cyclists.

Hannington resident Kelli Salone, herself a keen rider, claimed the people who cycle on the pavement usually do so because they are too scared of being on the road.

She said: “You won’t get somebody who cycles for a hobby riding on the pavement.

"We take our lives into our hands when we cycle on the road, and that can be a very scary prospect for some people.”