21 years on, Neill still recalls crash

21 years on, Neill still recalls crash

24 February 2016

IT has been 21 years since Crossgar man Neill Currie sustained life changing injuries in a cycling accident.

Despite the passage of time, 39 year-old Neill admits he remains haunted by the accident, which happened when he was hit from behind by a car travelling over 50mph at Saintfield Road, Carryduff.

Although his only memory is wakening up in hospital to be told he had suffered multiple fractures to his back, Neill says he has since been told he went through the windscreen of the vehicle before becoming lodged in its sunroof.

Recovering at home for a year before being fit enough to work, he said that although he eventually returned to cycling, and has been a member of Dromara Cycling Club for 13 years, the accident, and another less serious crash four months previously, continue to affect him today.

Both collisions were caused by the drivers not seeing Neill on the road despite his high visibility wear and proper lighting. As a result, Neill says he remains on high alert when on the road and is always trying to pre-empt danger by listening for cars approaching from the rear.

Despite his care, he says he has been involved in countless “near misses” by cars that brush past him at speed.

Dismayed by what he believes is the “ignorance” of many motorists, he is convinced there needs to be an awareness campaign to educate drivers about the Highway Code and how it applies to cyclists.

He believes a proper campaign to promote safe passing of cyclists would reduce cycling fatalities and serious injury accidents. With the new racing season launched on Sunday and cycling increasing in popularity, he believes this is the right time for such a campaign.

“Obviously not all motorists are doing things wrong and there are many very nice and courteous drivers but there are also a lot of ignorant drivers, some of whom seem to be out to scare cyclists,” he said.

“Sometimes cars come so close you have to pull your arm out of the way and some drivers have a real aggression towards cyclists. I’m not sure why there is this hostility but I think education needs to happen, I really think it would work.

“A lot of people are not educated about the Highway Code. Everyone who sits a driving test should have to take a bike on the road for a week. If somebody commuted five miles to work by bike for a few days it would change their outlook.

“I also think it would be a good idea to go around schools and let young drivers know the risks.”

Even after 21 years, Neill says he has a fear of cycling on main roads, particularly the road from Crossgar to Belfast, because of the speed of vehicles.

Dismissing the limited cycling lanes available as inadequate “tokens”, some of which end suddenly forcing cyclists onto a main thoroughfare, he said Northern Ireland lags far behind other European countries who value and invest in cycling. 

He said such investment was crucial with the growing popularity of the sport, which is both practical and healthy.

“In France there are massive signs everywhere telling motorists to give cyclists 1.3 metre width. In Spain and other European countries there are proper cycling paths that are kept clean and safe.

“I was lucky because I was young when my accident happened and was able to make a good recovery but it has still changed my life.

“The big accident changed my personality for a year and I still suffer pain in my back.”

Despite his reservations about his vulnerability on the road, Neill says he cannot envisage ever giving up cycling.

“Anyone who takes up cycling gets a real drive for it. It releases endorphins and there is nothing as good as hearing the birds singing and feeling the sunshine while out riding,” he said.

“Although there are scary moments, there is still great pleasure to be had.