A MUM was left bloodied after being knocked off her bike by a “cowardly” cyclist who swiftly left the scene.

Agnieszka Merta, 44, known as Agy, was riding with her son Leo Merta Madin on her bike at Kingsway near Hove Lagoon.

Another cyclist approached behind her and knocked her off her own bicycle, sending her plunging face first into a wall.

But rather than stop to help her as she lay bleeding heavily and concussed, his only words were: “I need to go.”

Agy, a massage therapist, of Brunswick Terrace, Hove, said the other cyclist apparently left fake contact details before riding off.

She said blood was everywhere and onlookers were trying to support her and four-year-old Leo.

The Argus: Agnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta MadinAgnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta Madin

A facial surgeon was among those to stop and took her to hospital were she needed 20 stitches.

Later she also needed £350 worth of dental treatment.

She still bears the scar from the horror incident which happened at 1pm on December 30.

When asked what she would say to the alleged suspect, she said: “I would say, ‘who leaves anybody on the floor, hurt?’.

The Argus: Agnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta MadinAgnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta Madin

“It was not like he was 16, he was a man in his 30s, if he is not able to take responsibility for his actions then this is cowardly behaviour.”

Police Chief Superintendent Jo Banks wrote a letter to tell Agy that the force has closed the case unless new information about the cyclist comes to light.

Agy, who often cycles with her son for exercise, said: “I was cycling slowly as I had the little one on the back of the bike.

The Argus: Agnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta MadinAgnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta Madin

“Then I felt a push from behind and couldn’t really remember much. It was with a lot of force as he went past on my left hand side, trying to overtake me.

“I don’t remember it exactly, but my mouth hit the low brick wall and I suffered concussion.

The Argus: Inconsiderate cyclists hampered councillor's stroll from Hove LagoonInconsiderate cyclists hampered councillor's stroll from Hove Lagoon

“The first thing I wanted to see was if my son was hurt. Luckily he did not even have a scratch.

“I was trying to face a different direction so my son didn’t have to see that I was covered in blood.

“The man was in his early 30s and quite tall. I think he was scared that I would call the police and scared he would then have to face some consequences. He said ‘I need to go’.

The Argus: Agnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta MadinAgnieszka Merta was injured in an allged hit and run cycle incident in Hove in front of her young son Leo Merta Madin

“I think his riding was very dangerous.”

A letter from Sussex Police appears to show the incident was treated as an alleged assault occasioning actual bodily harm. It read: “Your report has been officially recorded and will remain as a permanent record which we can reopen if new evidence comes to light.”