“I’m just glad I’m still around and able to ride my bike.”

Back in September 2022, David Walters’ life changed in an instant. One minute he was cycling to work in South Wales and the next he’d come round on the roadside having blacked out for 10 to 20 seconds due to an impact from behind.

David had no warning for what happened, it was a clear day and numerous drivers had passed safely as he rode along the B4280 near Heol-y-Cyw, wearing a reflective hi-vis jacket and with flashing lights on his bike.

What happened was a worst nightmare for us cyclists, whose safety on the road is so often entirely dependent on other road users. In David’s case he’d been hit at high speed by a van driver travelling in the same direction as him.

Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision
Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision (Image Credit: David Walters)

While other motorists (such as the one pictured below) had spotted David and passed safely, the van driver smashed into the back of him, causing life-changing injuries including a major back injury which required surgery and three months in a spinal brace. He also suffered internal bleeding, a fractured sternum and five broken ribs, as well as numerous other impacts, wounds and issues.

Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision
Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision (Image Credit: David Walters)

Despite the high-visibility clothing and flashing lights, the van driver said he had not seen David due to the low sun and claimed he did not realise he’d hit a person. Wayne Adams, who pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by careless driving, was in June (33 months after the collision) sentenced and avoided jail, receiving a community order until June 2027 which requires him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay £150 in court costs, as well as a £114 victim surcharge. He has been banned from driving for 12 months.

“While I’m relieved there was a conviction, it’s frustrating that he was able to carry on with life as normal while I was dealing with the physical and emotional aftermath — surgeries, pain, trauma, and uncertainty,” David explained.

Having not stopped immediately, Adams returned to the scene later, the windscreen of his van smashed and front tyre punctured, although he insisted he did not know he had hit a person.

Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision
Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision (Image Credit: David Walters)

It has been reported in another online news story, based on the court case, that the driver was the person who phoned for an ambulance, something David disputes, saying that by the time Adams returned to the scene other passers-by were already helping him. That same article unbelievably also reports the driver had struck David, which “as a result, the cyclist lost control and crashed into the side of the carriageway”.

“I lay on the roadside for nearly five hours before an ambulance arrived. But once they did, I want to thank the paramedics, the hospital staff at Princess of Wales Hospital, and especially PC Trigg, the officer who handled the case with care and professionalism,” David said.

Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision
Cyclist suffers life-changing injuries in collision (Image Credit: David Walters)

Following the crash he spent two weeks in hospital, followed by three months in a spinal brace. It was particularly frustrating as, prior to the crash, David was training for the famous 1,200km Paris-Brest-Paris event, and long-distance riding had become a big part of his life. He was “at my fittest and most focused”.

In an instant he was back to square one, simply hoping to recover physically, let alone ride a bike again.

“My partner Sarah was at my side throughout, taking time off work to care for me at home, helping with even basic things like washing, dressing, and moving. The emotional toll on her was enormous,” David continued.

“I also want to thank British Cycling, who were incredibly supportive and appointed Leigh Day Solicitors to handle the legal and insurance side. The process was dealt with quickly and professionally, which was a huge help during a very difficult time.
My employers were supportive during my recovery and return to work. I now use a standing desk to help manage ongoing back pain.”

Sharing the footage with road.cc, David says he wants others “to see the reality of what even one lapse in attention can cause”.

Along with the physical and psychological scars, his bike suffered £5,000 worth of damage, which has been claimed, although David admits “just being glad I’m still around and able to ride my bike”.

“It’s a story I hope will raise awareness among drivers and support other cyclists who’ve been through similar trauma,” he explains. Inspirationally, David even completed Paris-Brest-Paris the year after the collision, but being back on the bike is only one part of it.

 “I live with daily back pain, limited sleep, and emotional fallout. I can only sleep in two positions, and one requires a cushion between my knees. People often assume that because I’m back on the bike, I must be fine — but it’s not that simple.

“I want others to see the reality of what even one lapse in attention can cause.”