A GROUP that claims to represent a positive movement of teen cyclists has been caught on camera riding recklessly and causing mayhem on Swindon’s streets.

Dashcam footage shows more than 50 youngsters cycling on Faringdon Road, near the town centre last Sunday making nuisances of themselves.

The riders run through red lights with oncoming vehicles and pull out from driver’s blind spots and even ride directly at cars.

In one incident a mountain bike rider appears to narrowly avoid being hit by a car.

Lewis Delicata, who caught the incident on his dash cam said: “It’s a good cause what they’re doing it for but it’s a shame the few that were riding dangerously ruined it for the rest.”

The group, known as Swindon Bikes on social media, says it is about encouraging youngsters to ride bikes rather than picking up knives and getting involved in violence.

But the incident prompted calls to police from worried drivers.

Mr Delicata told the Advertiser: “I was surprised at how many of them there were.

“One of them was blocking me from pulling out of the junction but he was only making it safe for the others. When he left I thought it was over but more came around the corner.

“It could have looked intimidating to some drivers, that’s why I think it should have been organised properly.”

Wiltshire Police said: “On Sunday 2 September we received a number of reports about anti-social behaviour linked to a group of youths riding push bikes around the town.

“Officers attended and gave words of safety advice to the group before they moved on.

“It’s not clear if a criminal offence was committed. If evidence is brought to our attention then we will continue to investigate the matter.”

The group has more than 1,200 followers on Instagram and was inspired by the bike life movement, which began in America with unlicensed motorcyclists using city dirt tracks. It has since gone global and spread to bicycles.

The clip has been doing the rounds on Facebook and has been viewed over 50,000 times. Commenters were quick to point out the riders were not wearing cycle helmets and were critical of their behaviour.

Adam O’Breezer posted: “People saying it’s a good thing fair enough if they rode to the law. They clearly all went through the red light causing cars to suddenly stop, then when lights go green another one rides right at the guy filming. Good cause but done in a very poor way.”

Ali Norrish wrote: “This is a crazy notion. I don’t understand how kids being encouraged to use their bikes to break the law, intimidate and put themselves, pedestrians and other road users in danger is really a solution to knife carrying gang crime.”

Others supported the riders. Jonny Peapell said: “It’s a bunch of kids doing something in a positive light and you lot act like they’re criminals for riding on the road in broad daylight.”

And Jade Silva urged them to take care. “At the end of the day they are kids looking to do something good. They went to police for help to make it safe but were let down,” she said.

“So as children took upon themselves I guess to rally and raise awareness. Kids need to keep traffic lights and other road users in mind otherwise it becomes a dangerous cause.”