Cyclist charged in ongoing disruptive behaviour

generic bike path

A 65-year-old London man is facing a number of charges after a woman who was running on a trail was struck from behind by a cyclist and then run over, causing serious injuries.

Wayne Morrison has been charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, mischief and common nuisance in the incident.

London police say the woman was running on a Thames Valley trail in December 2012 when Morrison allegedly rode directly into her back, causing her to fall to the ground and then rode over her.

The 37-year-old woman suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a pulled neck and severe bruising on her face including two black eyes.

The incident appears to just be the latest in a string disruptive behaviour involving a cyclist and area runners.

Police say Morrison was warned about his behaviour in 2005 after being identified following a number of similar incidents beginning in the spring of 2003.

Police allege a man operating his bicycle in a dangerous fashion while dressed in a black leotard would regularly torment members of London’s running community.

The behaviour escalated in 2004 to include the disruption of charity races like the Forest City Road Races and those sponsored by Runner’s Choice and London Life.

In those cases the cyclist allegedly rode at race participants, through marked water stations and generally disrupted the race and endangered participants and volunteers.