ILLEGAL off-road bikers attacked a runner on a Peak District bridleway, after he warned them of children on the path ahead.
The 37-year-old man was hurled down a bank into hawthorn bushes, then punched four times in the head during the assault at Bar Road in Baslow, at 3.45pm on Sunday.
He was running along the lane from which all vehicles are banned when he heard
the bikers approaching fast from behind.
Pc Kevin Lowe, from Bakewell police, said: "He attracted their attention to warn them of a family up ahead, with the intention of giving friendly advice. That's when the attack took place.
"One rider's pushed him down an embankment, then one of the other two punched the victim in the face four times before they all drove off."
The runner suffered cuts and bruises to his hands during the attack, and swelling to his face.
The registration number of one of the bikes was spotted and officers hope to track down its owner.
Pc Lowe, who leads Operation Blackbrook, which aims to resolve problems with off-road vehicles, said the incident was very unusual.
"I've never known of an assault of this nature to have taken place.
"I am liaising with many representatives of the various off-road recreational fraternity and they are fully supportive of what we are doing, with this incident and the operation," he added.
The biker who did the pushing was described as being white, about six feet tall, stocky build and about 40 years old.
He was wearing goggles and a visor and had a goatee beard or moustache. There was no description of the other two men.
There are signs at the Baslow end of the road which leads to the Wellington Monument at Baslow Edge reminding motorists they are banned from using it.
Anyone with information should call Bakewell Police Station on 0345 123 3333 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
