A cyclist has taken a driver’s keys and thrown them into bushland after Tremont road rage incident

A MOTHER has described the shocking moment a Lycra-clad cyclist hit her car before taking her keys and throwing them down an embankment in a fit of rage in the Dandenong Ranges.

Naomi Cooper and daughter Grace, 12, back at Devil’s Elbow on Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd. Picture: David Caird

WHEN a Lycra-clad cyclist launched a frightening road-rage attack, all Naomi Cooper could think of were her daughter’s screams from the back seat of their car.

The mum of four spoke out about the alarming clash when an enraged cyclist reached into her car, grabbed her keys out of the ­ignition and threw them into bushland on Mt Dandenong.

Her 12-year-old daughter Grace, who has Down syndrome, screamed in terror as the incident unfolded about 2.30pm on Tuesday.

Ms Cooper was driving past the Devil’s Elbow on Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Tremont, when she heard a sudden banging on her car. She was on her way to pick up her mother from hospital.

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“I was in the middle of the hairpin bend and as I was ­coming out of it, I heard this thud on the back of my car and all the way up the side,” she said. “I look up and there is this cyclist in full Lycra screaming and yelling at me.

“When I pulled over and turned the ignition off, he put his hand in the (open) window, grabbed my keys out of the ignition and threw them over the car and down the hill.”

Ms Cooper said her first thoughts had been for her daughter’s safety.

“When that first thud hit, she jumped and started screaming my name,” she said.

“I was terrified because that bang on my back window was like a rock had hit the car and Grace. It was a scary moment, I’m definitely traumatised.”

It is believed the cyclist was unhappy with Ms Cooper’s driving, but he rode off without an explanation.

Officers from Belgrave police station arrived and were able to find the keys after a search in long grass.

“I just wish I knew what his problem had been, because he just kept swearing and never told me what issue he’d had with my driving,” she said.

“I passed several cyclists that day with no problems ­because I always give them a wide berth.”

She called the police and they found the keys about 20 minutes later.

Naomi said she’d love for cyclists to have registration.

“If they are road users like everybody else in a vehicle with wheels they should be paying for the privilege like we all do,” she said.

“There are a lot of these cyclists go up and down this narrow roads … I’ve seen many times, two or three abreast. It is not right.

“I have never had a problem with a cyclist in 10 years living up here in the hills.”

Naomi said the officers offered icy cold water and calmed her and her daughter — who has Down syndrome.

She went to Belgrave Police Station today to say thanks.

The Devil's Elbow on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Road is a tight turn.

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Police are appealing for help identifying the caucasian cyclist, who was wearing ­orange, red, white and yellow Lycra. He has been described as thin and up to 183cm tall.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Belgrave police on 9754 6677.

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