BADLY behaved cyclists have been warned they will be dealt with after reports of bikers carrying out "incredibly dangerous" manoeuvres on busy Colchester roads. 

Witnesses have described incidents in Balkerne Hill and Cowdray Avenue in recent days. 

Gail Michaels, from Colchester, reported one incident on Balkerne Hill to police on Tuesday morning. 

She said: “When they were going into the car, they swerved to the next car and they did this to seven cars, who all did emergency breaks.

“They frequents the same roads, dressed in black with a face mask on, and often in the dark."

Ms Michaels added: “They are very clearly getting a lot of enjoyment.

“I thought originally it seemed they were going to hurt themselves which is why I called the police."

Ward Councillor Richard Kirkby-Taylor said he had witnesses bad riding in Cowdray Avenue on Monday night. 

He said: “This type of behaviour is absolutely irresponsible and incredibly dangerous.

“I urge anyone who knows who this individual is to have a solid word with them before they ends up in hospital."

Mr Kirkby-Taylor added: “Funnily enough it was only last night driving home that I came across cyclist who fit that description exactly cycling down the wrong way on Cowdray Avenue, he very nearly both caused an accident and very nearly got run over me.”

Mr Kirkby-Taylor also said this was a strong argument for mandatory school cycling efficiency lessons and other schemes for adults, adding: “I still encourage people to cycle to work, but this is no different to someone behaving dangerously in a car but on a lower risk profile.

“It is down to the individual’s’ behaviour.”

Essex Police said a man was riding a bike “antisocially” in Balkerne Hill this morning shortly before 8.40am on Tuesday.

Officers attended and searched the area, but the man and the informant had already left the area.

A man was subsequently issued a Community Protection Warning which prevents them from  cycling in a dangerous or antisocial manner on any road, highway or designated pathway.

The warning will last until November 25, 2025.