'˜Road rage' incident sparks respect call

A prominent cycling activist has called on all road users to show more respect for each other after he was injured in a '˜road rage' confrontation.
Peter Ward, left, says road users need to have more respectPeter Ward, left, says road users need to have more respect
Peter Ward, left, says road users need to have more respect

Peter Ward, 83, suffered bruising to his back and hips when he was thrown onto the bonnet of a car, smashing his cycling helmet into pieces on the windscreen.

Last week a motorist was fined £270 for driving without due care and attention after a three-day trial following the incident as Peter and a friend were cycling in the countryside near Garstang.

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It was claimed in court the driver had blasted his horn and flashed his lights behind the two cyclists, before passing them and then swerving in front.

“I had a word with him about that and he was muttering something about cyclists getting in the way,” claimed former magistrate Peter. “Then we set off again and I heard him accelerate behind us. I thought ‘this bloke’s going to hit me,’ and we collided.

“I landed on his bonnet and my helmet smashed against his windscreen. The car ended up in a ditch. I honestly believe my helmet saved my life.”

Peter, a co-creator of Preston’s Guild Wheel cycle route, admitted the incident had shaken him up and knocked his confidence, despite having had numerous spills in the past as a former international racing cyclist.

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“I’ve managed to put it behind me, but it took a while to get my confidence back,” he said. “I’m a driver as well as having been a cyclist. I see both sides. Both groups have a go at each other. Both need to show respect for each other.”

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