Louise Davis was allegedly knocked to the ground by a cyclist on Darebin Creek Trail

A mum was knocked to the ground and couldn’t breathe after a cyclist allegedly struck her on the chest while she was walking on a popular trail.

A bike rider allegedly struck a woman in the ribs in an alleged hit-run incident on the Darebin Creek Trail.

An Ivanhoe mother has called for safety upgrades on the Darebin Creek Trail after being hit by a cyclist.

Louise Davis was walking with two friends along the popular track in Bellfield, when an oncoming bike rider held out his right arm and struck her in the ribs in the alleged hit-run incident on February 4.

Ms Davis said she thought the attack was deliberate because she had seen the cyclist approaching and made sure she was out of its way.

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“It was a bit of a shock. I fell to the ground because I was wounded and couldn’t breathe,” she said.

“He heard me cry out in pain, but he didn’t stop, he kept going.

“We were basically stunned and somewhat numb about what to do.

“It was a random, deliberate and violent act.”

Louise Davis wants safety upgrades on the Darebin Creek Trail after she was allegedly struck by a cyclist.

Ms Davis called for more protective measures to be put in place on public paths and trails.

“There are plenty of people who use that trail. It’s a great space and we shouldn’t have to be in fear,” she said.

“We have cameras on roads, public transport and in other public areas, so extra security should be possible.

“This is around people’s behaviour, if they know they are being watched, it may deter them or they will at least get caught.”

Freestyle Cyclists spokesman Alan Todd described the assault as “disgraceful” and urged cyclists to be more mindful of pedestrians in shared spaces.

“That’s just disgraceful and not acceptable,” Mr Todd said.

“Cyclists need to ring their bell to warn people of their presence.

“They should not be riding too fast on shared paths, with their speed well under control.

“It’s about having a duty of care — the faster vehicle should always be more considerate.”

Ms Davis reported the incident to Northcote police and has not returned to the trail since the attack.

Banyule Council Mayor Wayne Phillips said it would investigate installing CCTV in the area. He said the council had contacted police about the incident.

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