Rat-running cyclists are endangering stall traders by using a pedestrianised area as a short-cut, it has been claimed.

Mitcham residents and traders have become increasingly frustrated with people on bikes using Mitcham town centre in order to avoid the busy one-way traffic on Holborn Way.

Christine Higgs, 50, of Streatham Road, said: “They [cyclists] just come screeching down the pavement on their bikes and try to swerve round you.

“They once hit my son, who is six, and I was really angry because they hurt him but they didn’t apologise. It is a big problem.”

Anne Thomsett, 72, who has lived in Mitcham all her life, added: “My husband and I have nearly been hit several times.

“What happened to people having bells on their bikes?

"You have to have eyes in the back of your head to walk round here.”

Stall trader Alan Hunt, 69, said: “In the morning when you are trying to set up it is a nightmare because they [cyclists] just cut straight through at high speed on their way to work.

“I have had my stall damaged by cyclists speeding in the past and it is dangerous for my customers.”

Fellow market trader Mr Drewitt, 68, said: “Sometimes you see the police stop someone but not often.

“You get PCSOs around a lot but they just don’t do anything about it.

“Even motorbikes cut through the pedestrianised areas. Something needs to be done about it.”

Cyclist Mike Dolittle, 38, who lives in Mitcham, said: “I do see cyclists ignoring the rules and riding through here all the time.

“A lot of them are quite aggressive so I can see why people are frightened by them but some are just slowly going along.”

Merton Police declined to comment.

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