BRITISH woman Cheryl Brown had been living in Bunbury for nine days when she was involved in a crash which could have claimed her life.
The 28-year-old had moved to Australia to chase new job opportunities and bought a scooter as a cheap and easy way to get around the city.
Miss Brown has a full motorcycle licence and with about six years experience riding bikes on the road, had never been in an accident or had any close calls.
On July 25, she was riding along Blair Street when a vehicle pulled out about 10 metres in front of her.
She knew that the safest option was to flip the bike to avoid a head-on collision, which could have meant life-threatening injuries.
The impact fractured her back and pelvis and left her body covered in cuts and bruising.
“I have been told I was extremely lucky, if I had hit head-on I probably would have gone through the car’s window and could easily have been killed.”
Miss Brown was hospitalised for five days and has attended rehabilitation sessions three times a week since the crash.
The keen gym-goer has had to slowly introduce exercise back into her life and was thrilled to complete her first fun run at the Surf to Surf event on the weekend.
She said she does not feel any anger towards the driver but is keen to spread the message to both riders and drivers to be more aware of other road-users.
“It’s so important to be vigilant and check your blind spot properly, scooters and bikes are quite small and can be easily missed,” Miss Brown said.
“But I also think motorbike licencing needs an overhaul and mandatory training needs to be enforced – back home in England bike laws are very strict.”
