A CHIPPENHAM shop manager who has had two near misses with cyclists on the pavement outside his shop this year alone is calling for a clampdown on unsafe cycling.

Steve Wall, who works at Dolmans Furnishers, on New Road, thinks the police need to do more to stop people cycling on the pavement and endangering pedestrians.

Mr Wall said he was nearly hit from behind by one cyclist on the side of the road by the shop - and the cyclist then told him to watch where he was going.

He fears he may be seriously hurt if a cyclist does hurtle into him outside of the shop while he is loading a van or helping a customer.

He said: “It’s dangerous for pedestrians and us shop owners when people cycle on the pavements.

“In my job we have to move a lot of furniture out of the store and I’ve almost been hit twice. I can’t believe they tried to blame me as well. It’s absolutely horrendous.

“I would like the police to do more about it. They told me they simply don’t have the time or numbers to enforce it.

“It gives cyclists the message they can do whatever they want with no consequences.”

PC Ashleigh Bray, community co-ordinator for Chippenham, said: “It is really difficult for us to be able to enforce the law on pavement cyclists.

“There’s just not enough of us to be able to do it across the town.

“When we go on foot patrol around Chippenham, if we see a cyclist we will tell them to get off their bike if they’re on the pavement. Most people do listen and completely understand but sometimes people will hop off and get back on down the street.

“It can be really dangerous to cycle on the pavement, and can especially endanger elderly people and younger children.”

The law says it is an offence to cycle on the pavement. Police say cyclists should either dismount and walk on pavements or keep their bike on the road.