A COUPLE have called for bike riders to stay on the road, after they were nearly hit by “mindless cyclists”on six occasions.

Gerald and Maureen Labbett, of Lee Road, Dovercourt, were almost knocked over on footpaths on Marine Parade, Kingsway and Main Road.

It is illegal for cyclists to ride on pavements, except on designated cycle lanes.

Mr Labbett, 71, said: “I was walking down the road with my wife when a young chap came by my side and just missed me by inches.

“My wife shouted at him, but he just rode on and ignored us. We have a job to hear them coming up behind us because we are older. If we don’t step out to the side, we get hit.

“At the very least, they should have bells to let us know they are there. It’s dangerous.”

Police have reminded cyclists not to ride on pavements and said offenders will get a verbal warning or a fixed penalty notice.