A FURIOUS father believes more should be done to stop people biking on pavements after his five-year-old daughter was knocked down by an errant cyclist.

David Petherbridge, 43, of Southchurch Road, Southend, wants police to toughen their stance on the offence following the incident with daughter, Katie.

The youngster was making her way home along Southchurch Road from Porters Grange Primary School, with her mother, Joanne, when she was struck by the cyclist.

Katie had to be taken to Southend Hospital for treatment. She has been left with a scar under her right eye.

Mr Petherbridge said: “Everybody just seemed to shrug their shoulders and say ‘there’s not much we can do about it’.

“But cycling on pavements is against the law.

“I understand cyclists might think it is dangerous to ride on the road, but what about the safety of pedestrians?”

Under the Highway Act 1835, cycling on the pavement is illegal unless it has been deemed a “shared-use” area by the council.

Breaking this rule was made punishable by a fine of £30 by the Government in 1988, although children aged under 16 are rarely prosecuted.

The cyclist who struck Katie was believed to be aged 14.

Mr Petherbridge said: “It doesn’t matter how old they are. If you are riding recklessly, you are riding recklessly. It’s not good enough to sweep this under the carpet. People shouldn’t feel scared to use the pavement.

“This has really hurt my daughter and she is still scared by what happened. It’s not right.