Cyclist relives West Bromwich hit-and-run drama after helmet smashed in collision
A cyclist has described the moment a motorist crashed into him while cycling to work, knocking him to the road and smashing his helmet, before driving away.
Father-of-two Garry Guest suffered mild concussion during the crash in West Bromwich and has been told by medics he is lucky not to have suffered a more serious head injury.
It was the second time he has been knocked off his bike in recent years and now he is considering giving up cycling altogether.
He is also asking Sandwell Council to improve cycling provision in the borough.
Recalling the accident, which happened around 4.45pm on Tuesday night in Forge Mill Lane, Mr Guest said: "I was coming home from work going round a bend when this car tried to overtake me.
"There was a car coming in the opposite direction so the driver had to pull over, knocking me off my bike. I hit my head on the floor, broke my helmet, but the driver carried on."
He added: "The accident happened so fast and, as she knocked me off my bike from behind, I didn't get the registration number of the car and didn't notice what make and model it was as I was on the floor with concussion.
"I have received hospital treatment, my bike is wrecked and my safety helmet is smashed to bits, showing just how lucky I have been."
Mr Guest, of Kelverley Grove in West Bromwich, is taking a few days off from his job as a welder while he recovers from the accident. It is the second time the 51-year-old has been knocked off his bike since he started cycling to work 20 years ago. About 12 years ago he suffered a head injury when a similar crash happened in West Bromwich High Street. On that occasion the driver did stop.
And Mr Guest said he felt the council could do more by introducing designated cycling tracks. "We're always been told to get on our bikes and leave the car at home but it's dangerous," he said.
Police spokesman Lee Page said: "Police were called to a road traffic collision involving a car and a cyclist on Forge Lane, Sandwell at around 4:45pm yesterday afternoon. The driver of the car failed to stop at the scene. The cyclist was uninjured. Officers are investigating."