Hereford councillor claims she was "bullied" into vote
City councillor Elena Round she felt ‘bullied’ by Bike Worcester to vote in favour of building a pump track in Battenhall last year.
Last updated 25th Jun 2025
A cycling lobby group exerts ‘unacceptable’ power over council decision-making, a councillor has claimed.
City councillor Elena Round she felt ‘bullied’ by Bike Worcester to vote in favour of building a pump track in Battenhall last year.
Bike Worcester said it takes the allegations “very seriously” and wants to resolve any issues quickly.
Cllr Round was speaking on Monday, June 23 as Worcester City Council’s place and economic development committee approved plans for a second pump track in Perdiswell.
“Officers and councillors were being placed under inexcusable pressure to deliver the Battenhall pump track and I found myself at the receiving end of bullying and intimidation to vote a particular way,” said the Green Party councillor.
“This kind of lobbying of councillors and officers is just not acceptable. It beggars belief that an unelected lobby group that only has a single issue to campaign can exert so much power within the decision-making of this council.”
Cllr Round was referring to a committee meeting in January 2024, at which councillors approved plans for the Battenhall pump track.
Members of Bike Worcester were among a number of public speakers at that meeting.
“Worcester residents encountered this lobbying even at the city-led consultation at the local church,” Cllr Round said.
“The problem with such lobby groups is they are only concerned with one issue, to the exclusion of wider issues.
“It is for this committee to balance this lobby group’s demands with the needs of the wider community.”
Cllr Hannah Cooper said she led a Green Party pre-meet before the meeting.
“I told them ‘brace yourself, this is going to be difficult whatever happens’ and I reminded them they have a free vote.
“Green Party councillors are not whipped – you are free to vote to represent your residents or based on your own thinking. Elena Round was certainly not bullied by the Green Party.”
Cllr Cooper added that she is no longer a member of Bike Worcester but still volunteers to lead a bike bus.
Cllr Alex Mace, co-leader of the Green Party group at the city council, is also a member of Bike Worcester.
He said: “I’m keen to discuss and resolve the situation with Bike Worcester because no one should feel they are being bullied.”
Bike Worcester said in a statement: “Bike Worcester is taking allegations of bullying and intimidation very seriously.
“Cllr Round referred to lobbying efforts in January 2024 by Bike Worcester members as making her feel intimidated.
“It’s the first time we’ve been made aware of bullying allegations but as a group we are keen to ensure any issues are resolved quickly with the Worcester Green Party.
“We have excellent working relationships across different political groups in Worcester and Worcestershire and we’re keen to maintain and build on these relationships to improve the experience of those walking, wheeling or cycling in Worcester.”
Worcester City Council declined to comment.