Cyclists offering reward
January 26, 2005 Edition 1
Anil Singh
Two Durban cyclists are offering a reward of R10 000 and have hired a private investigator to help track down the driver of a green Uno who has been terrorising cyclists on the freeway.
On Saturday Nino Chidoni, 50, had a narrow escape when he was deliberately hit by a car during a training session. He suffered two fractured vertebrae.
Now Chidoni and fellow cyclist Arthur Limbouris are offering
R10 000 for information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the motorist.
Chidoni and a group of cyclists were on a training run from Durban to Ballito when the incident took place on the M4 near the Glenashley turn-off.
Chidoni was at the rear of the group when the bottle green Fiat Uno hit him. The driver did not stop and the passengers in the car turned around and looked at them. Cyclists say that it is the same Uno that has been terrorising them on that stretch of road in recent weeks.
"Since my accident I have heard some horror stories from other cyclists who have had some very frightening experiences on the road," said Chidoni.
"There are some motorists who show total disregard towards cyclists.
"We want to feel safe on the road. I am not saying that cyclists don't make mistakes, but it is not intentional. As far as possible we ride in single file and inside the yellow line," said Chidoni.
Limbouris said that recently a motorist and a group of cyclists nearly came to blows near the Pick 'n Pay Hypermarket after the driver had sneaked behind the cyclists and then blasted his hooter.
"He gave us a fright. There have been several incidents on the road and the situation is getting worse. We are offering the reward because we want this person caught and brought to book and maybe it will send the right message."
Anyone with information about Saturday's hit-and-run incident can contact Pieter Kitshof of Justicia Investigations at 083 251 2077.
