NATIONAL NEWS - Steven Hayward, chairman of the Pedal Power Association, says a typical assault on a cyclist occurs either before sunrise or after sunset, or when cyclists are isolated and very few other people are in the immediate area.

“Thugs will generally also choose a spot that provides limited escape options, where they can block your way and push you off your bicycle,” he says.

Cycling may seem like a safe form of transport, but the risk of assault remains high.

Here are some tips on how to ensure your safety while cycling:

• A cyclist’s attached equipment like a wallet and cellphone are relatively visible to criminals along the road, making them easy-to-spot targets. Try and conceal your valuables or make them less visible.

• In high-risk situations, avoid being stopped by strangers.

• Avoid large groups of loiterers in the street, pass wide or turn around.

• Try to ride in groups in the early morning or at night.

• Identify crime hotspots on your route and avoid them.