A FIVE-YEAR-OLD boy was left battered and bruised when he was knocked down by a woman cycling on the pavement.

Oscar Sowden was walking home from Caversham Festival last Sunday with his family when the cyclist ploughed into him at speed on the footpath running beneath Reading Bridge.

His right ear is badly bruised and on Tuesday mum, Emma, 39, had to take him to the doctor suffering severe headaches.

Mrs Sowden, a 39-year-old manager at Reading University, who lives in Bourne Avenue, Katesgrove, is calling for a clampdown on cyclists illegally using footpaths - particularly as there was a cycle path only feet from the spot where her son was struck.

She said: "Cycling on the pavement is just not on and it is outrageous because there was a really good cycle path right next to it. It was a completely needless accident.

"I don't mean to sound draconian, but I think there should be fines and community service for people who flout this because when it happens on the road you have insurance, so it is ludicrous there is no real process to deal with it and that is why I think cyclists do it.

The New Christ Church Primary School pupil and brother Sebastian, seven, were at the festival to see dad Rob, a 44-year-old professional musician, running a music tent.

Mrs Sowden added: "We'd had a lovely day and it was completely ruined. The cyclist didn't slow down, as if her destination was more important than the welfare of our son.

"We were lucky but it was very frightening at the time. Sebastian was quite traumatised because he saw his brother go under the bike and thought he had been killed."

The woman seemed unhurt, jumped back on her bike and quickly apologised before dashing off.

This week borough transport leader Cllr Tony Page backed the Sowdens and said the law is clear that it is an offence for anyone over 16 to cycle on pavements.

He added: "There are far too many who believe they are entitled to cycle anywhere at any time at any speed which is not acceptable and jeopardises the safety of pedestrians."

The council unveils its new cycling strategy in the autumn and Cllr Page said: "I am determined to see that the policy addresses the need for responsible cycling. To promote more cycling is very commendable but we want to promote responsible, not irresponsible, cycling."