"It is most unfortunate that this older woman has been the victim of a distressing incident of assault," she said.
"Age Concern believes that older people should live a valued life in an inclusive society and this incident of assault shows that we are not there yet.
"With International Day of Older Persons just around the corner, it is important that we treat all older people with dignity and respect."
Hastings and Districts Grey Power president Marie Dunningham said elderly people were "easy targets".
"The elderly are easy game. It's really upsetting - some of these people never leave their homes again," she said.
"It's a huge problem. No, we don't respect our old people. Somewhere along the line our young people turned nasty.
"I don't know that there's a solution, except to be as rude as they are."
Police are still searching for the alleged offender, described as a male Maori, aged in his 40s, "dirty and scruffy looking", with a scrawny build and short dark hair.
He was wearing dark clothing - trackpants, jacket and cap - and riding a white-framed bike with a helmet hanging from the handlebars.
A Pie & Patty Pan Bakery staff member said she wasn't aware of similar incidents happening near the Marewa shops and she considered the area a safe place to do business.
Police would like to speak to a young woman believed to have witnessed the incident, as well as a man who spoke to the cyclist shortly after the alleged assault.
• If you have any information about this incident, please phone Napier Police on 06 831 0700, or leave information anonymously on the Crimestoppers line: 0800 555 111.
