Organisers' anger at cycle race residents
Mid Devon Cycling Club and Exeter Wheelers had permission from Devon County Council and the police for the two-hour event on Saturday evening.
The race attracted up to 20 youngsters between the ages of eight and 14.
But after some residents living in Exeter Road and Strap Lane are said to have shouted at the participants, both clubs say they will not hold another cycling event for children in the area.
It is also alleged some motorists ignored road closure signs and mounted the curb during the race.
Vice-chairman of Mid Devon Cycling Club, Ron Keegan, who lives in Torquay, said: "Some residents were furious, driving on pavements to get to their houses even though there was a one way system put in place.
"They were driving around the barriers which could have endangered the lives of the children who were riding on a closed circuit.
"Some residents were being abusive to officials and to the young children who were trying to race."
He added: "All the houses had leaflets put through the door, we had police approval and risk assessments were carried out.
"The longest distance anyone would be left from their house was 100metres."
Mr Keegan said the event, for children living in Kingsteignton, was organised to complement the economy-boosting Dartmoor Classic sportive, which took place on Sunday and attracts more than 2,000 riders from all over the world.
But he said following the complaints, both clubs had decided not to hold any further cycling events in the immediate area.
In an email to race organisers, ward Cllr Anne Lonsdale accused them of causing 'mayhem at Strap Lane'.
She wrote: "It was alleged that one lady was nearly run over, a car with horse box had to turn in the narrowest part of the road.
"People coming home from work couldn't get to their houses and the buses had to be re-routed.
"It would seem that the marshalls were untrained and there was an unpleasant situation with one of the competitors being offensive."
Cllr Lonsdale told the Herald Express yesterday that at the time of the email she was not aware permission had been granted for the event.
A Devon County Council spokesman said: "It is necessary from time to time to close certain roads or part of roads temporarily to allow the passage of participants while also ensuring the safety of pedestrians and residents.
"In this case, the organisers of the event contacted our highways department with the necessary information and documents and we processed a traffic regulation order as normal.
"After which, the organisers themselves are responsible for signage and other arrangements to ensure the event runs smoothly."
A police spokesman added: "We received some reports of traffic chaos relating to the top of Exeter Road.
"There was an official event between 6pm and 8pm and all the roads were marshalled."
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