Cyclist seriously injured after being pushed off bike

Josh Paul is an experienced cyclist, his partner said

A cyclist was left concussed with a fractured jaw, had three front teeth knocked out and severe cuts and bruises after he was pushed off his bike.

Josh Paul, 29, was riding up Sulham Hill in Reading, Berkshire, on 25 June when he said a passenger in a black car leant out and shoved him to the ground.

A cyclist who stopped to help Mr Paul, near the junction with Long Lane, said he had never seen anything like it.

Anyone who saw the incident, which happened between 20:15 and 20:30 BST, is asked to contact police.

Warning: This story contains a graphic image that some readers may find upsetting.

Mr Paul’s partner Harriet was called to the scene after he was found.

She said it was “obvious that he was going to need significant medical attention” and he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

He is still suffering “quite significant” concussion, a week after he was injured, and his recovery will take months.

Mr Paul will only now cycle with cameras on his helmet in the future, Harriet said.

“It’s a shame we are going to have to do that but our trust in drivers at the moment is significantly reduced as a result of this one hideous act,” she added.

“One idiot showed how good other people are. We saw the best and the worst of humanity that day and the best certainly outweighed the worst.”

His recovery from his injuries will take months

Rob Bowen, the owner of AW Cycles in Caversham, was the first person to help Mr Paul.

“I have been in the trade for 20 years. I have heard of people leaning out [of vehicles] and slapping people. But I have never heard of anyone being pushed off like that. It’s horrendous,” Mr Bowen said.

“I rarely see incidents like this. It’s usually a little bump or a bent wheel. Often it’s a mistake, it’s not usually someone doing it maliciously.”