A CYCLIST was sent flying when a car pulled across his path as he rode along the main road through Great Harwood.
Blackburn magistrates heard Craig Hoyles remembered little of what happened until he was being helped up by paramedics and passers-by.
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His cycle helmet was smashed and his carbon-fibre bike split in two.
Joseph Thompson, 20, of Heywood Street, Great Harwood, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. He was fined £165 with £150 criminal court charge, £50 costs and £20 victim surcharge. His licence was endorsed with five penalty points.
Dominic Howel, prosecuting, said Mr Hoyles had been cycling for 25 years and did about 100 miles a week.
He was cycling along Blackburn Road at 7.30pm on April 14 and saw a car coming in the opposite direction.
As Mr Hoyles reached the junction with commercial street, the Corsa — driven by Thompson — turned in front of his bike.
“The car hit him and the next thing he remembers is being helped up by paramedics,” said Mr Howell.
Thompson told the court he did not see the cyclist.
He said: “My mate shouted ‘Stop’ and I slammed on (the brakes) and saw the bike coming towards me.
“It made a big impact on my left side.”
He said as a result of the incident he could not afford to insure the car and had to take a lower-paid job closer to home because he could not travel.
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