IT'S A solitary stretch of road that has become a sanctuary for cyclists but the Old Federal Highway north of Canberra is now seeing fewer riders because of potential threats to their personal safety.
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Police have investigated two different incidents in recent months involving allegations of assaults on cyclists - and now counter claims have been made against some cyclists.
The first reported incident happened at 10am on Sunday, April 21, when police alleged a 26-year-old Bungendore man drove close to a trio of cyclists before getting out of his car.
Police said the accused was acting in an ''aggressive manner'' and had pushed one of the riders over.
The man was charged with common assault and will appear in Queanbeyan Local Court in the coming weeks.
The latest incident happened on Saturday, June 22, when a 44-year-old Spence man said he was assaulted by a male driver, also aged 26, on the Old Federal Highway at about 1.20pm.
This time police say the driver was from Bywong, 14 minutes from Bungendore.
Also, police say following this incident the driver alleged he was surrounded and threatened by a group of cyclists who damaged his vehicle.
No charges have been laid following this latest incident but Queanbeyan police said the matter was still being investigated.
Talk of incidents on the stretch of road have circulated on the social media pages of ACT cycling clubs.
This past week the ACT Veterans Cycling Club warned its members not to ride on the road.
''We are concerned that the next incident may be the one where someone is seriously injured,'' said a note to members.
