'I could've died' - Cyclist's anger after council fail to heed his warning about Sheffield accident spot

Tim Foster, 49, who lives in Chesterfield, was cycling along Prince of Wales Road at about 25mph when he hit a bump under Darnall railway bridge without warning, throwing him into traffic. The impact cracked his helmet and sheared one of his mountain bike pedals.

Two drivers stopped to help as he was too badly injured to continue pedalling and he was later taken to accident and emergency.

Tim said: “I could've died. I consider myself a very robust person, I pride myself on resilience but this had a real impact on me. I still feel sick when I think about it.

"I remember cracking my head and it happened in a flash but it still turns my stomach.

"It was like a cheese grater on my skin. I couldn't physically cycle for a month and half. I avoid roads like the plague now.

"Sometimes I think 'could I have done something differently?' But they couldn't have done a better job of hiding it."

Soon after the incident, Tim submitted a detailed report through the council's online cycling report system.

He pointed out the path was too narrow, worn and the bump was not clearly marked. Tim also asked to see risk assessments for the lane, how many others had reported incidents there and for someone to contact him.

After not getting a response, he followed it up three months later by sending an email to the then chief executive of the council John Mothersole. But still received no reply.

He said: "I guarantee this is going to happen to someone else, if it hasn’t already.

“It’s absolutely frightening negligence. Do they just brush them all under the carpet?

“I love Sheffield and it’s supposed to be a cycle-friendly city but actions speak louder than words.

“They are doing some good stuff trying to connect trails and I accept it’s difficult in a city centre. I understand it’s not easy but they talk a lot about being a cycle-friendly city and I disagree.”

Sheffield Council said the bump was put in place to prevent cars going into the lane, it was contacted for further comment.