A Beyond Radio presenter has spoken out after being threatened by a gang of youths while walking along the cycle track in broad daylight.
Beth Pipe was harassed in Morecambe by a group of young males riding bikes who threatened to "beat her black and blue".
They also made homophobic comments, because she was wearing purple Beyond Radio colours over a rainbow-coloured shirt.
Lancaster Police said they were investigating and that "all reports of hate crime are taken incredibly seriously".
Beth said she wanted to speak out because "I should absolutely be able to walk along a track wearing nice bright colours on a warm, sunny, spring day without fear of harassment or intimidation".
The incident happened on Saturday afternoon shortly after Beth had finished her regular live radio show 'Beth Across the Bay' at the Beyond Radio station in Lancaster.
As it was a sunny day, she decided to walk along the cycle track into Morecambe to join other members of the Beyond Radio team at an outside broadcast that evening.
"Along the way I got harassed by three different groups of lads on bikes, shouting things and cycling close enough to force me off the path, but one particular group were more intimidating," she said.
"When I first passed them near Salt Ayre Leisure Centre, the ring-leader shouted out that they were going to beat me black and blue.
"I ignored them and kept walking. It's sad fact that this is just what you have to put up with when you're a woman walking alone.
"Fifteen minutes later, by the A683 bridge, they cycled past, they all 'buzzed' close then the ring-leader wheelied within inches of me and repeated his chant about beating me black and blue.
"Again, this spooked me, but I did nothing and just kept going. On a nice day that route is fairly busy so I figured there would be folks around.
"Five minutes after that I rounded a bend to see them further ahead, stopped in a group beyond Westgate bridge, and looking back up the track towards me.
"It's a straight section and there was no-one in sight beyond them. I was very spooked but, thankfully, there was an exit point between me and them, so I got off the track and up onto the main road, where the gods smiled down and I managed to hop onto a perfectly timed bus into Morecambe.
"I have no idea what they had planned as they waited, more verbal harassment, or a follow up on the threat to beat me black and blue.
"They may even have had weapons. Who knows? It really wasn't worth taking the risk and finding out.
"I'm mainly sharing this because I'm bloody annoyed - I should absolutely be able to walk along a track wearing nice bright colours on a warm, sunny, spring day without fear of harassment or intimidation.
"Yes, I have reported it to the police but I very much doubt that there is much they can do as I didn't actually come to any harm, and CCTV won't capture what they said. But at least I feel as if I've done something.
"I hate to let things like this stop me doing stuff but, honestly, I won't be walking alone along the Greenway again.
"Thankfully I'm 100 per cent fine, a bit shaken and annoyed, but nothing that won't heal. My concern is that the next victim might not be so lucky, which is why I took the time to report it."
Beth received a huge number of messages of support after posting on social media about her ordeal.
She said: "Thank you so much for all of your comments. I was shaken but feeling OK now after a chilled day yesterday.
"Now I'm in the mood to do something practical about this. Walking is such great exercise and no-one should feel scared to do it alone.
"Huge thank you again for all the lovely comments and kind words. Also, to reassure you, my wardrobe choices will not be changing."
Last year, 22 new CCTV cameras went live on the cycle track between Lancaster and Morecambe after a series of violent incidents.
A spokesperson for Lancaster Police said: "It was reported that on 5th April, a woman had homophobic and threatening comments directed towards her on Salt Ayre Lane.
"Enquiries, including CCTV enquiries are ongoing, and we would encourage anyone with information or footage to get in touch.
"All reports of hate crime are taken incredibly seriously and will not be tolerated in Lancashire. We are working to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
"If you do have information or footage, please get in touch on 101 quoting log 0054 of 7th April 2025."
Away from volunteering for Beyond Radio, Beth, along with her husband Steve, are successful authors of books on Cumbria.
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