Worried about road rage since cycling accident

I hate people who speed or use their phone

Dear Coleen

I’m 69 years old and love cycling. It’s in my DNA – my granddad put me on his bike before I could walk and, as a teenager, I dreamed of winning the Tour de France.

It’s obviously a great way to stay fit and I desperately want to be healthy for as long as I can. With the NHS in crisis, who doesn’t?

However, in 1991, just moments after competing in a 50-mile road race, I was hit on the back of the head by a metal pole protruding from a passing wagon. Awake, on life-support, a doctor said: “Had you not been so fit, you probably wouldn’t have survived.”

With a traumatic brain injury, it was two years before I found the confidence to get back on my bike.

Up until recently, I coped well, even getting back to racing. However, in short, I hate people who drive at excessive and inappropriate speed, pass too close and use mobile phones.

I get into such rage, hence my life is in danger on two counts: firstly by riding my bike and, secondly, by challenging drivers who I see using phones when stopped at traffic lights.

With so much violence – like acid attacks and knife crime – I know I need to stop challenging people.

The police have told me to get a head-cam, but I can’t afford one. And, even with one, unless a driver actually injures me, the police won’t take action. Have you any advice?

Coleen says

You’ve gone through a lot after suffering a massive trauma, and I think, understandably, you’re probably still angry about it. And that fear and anger is coming out towards other road users. You don’t say whether you had any counselling following the accident, but it’s something to consider now, as you could still be suffering from post-traumatic stress as a result of the collision.

Yes, it’s fantastic that you got back on your bike and that you’ve done so well, but it’s also OK to acknowledge the trauma and to get some extra support if you need it. There’s no time limit on it – in fact, sometimes the full emotional impact isn’t felt until months or even years later.

Here’s the thing, you can’t control these irresponsible people, you can only control yourself. So, make sure you’re being as safe as you can on the road and if you feel angry or out of control, then get off your bike, take a deep breath and let them go by.

It sounds as if you have a big 70th birthday coming up, so why not ask your family and friends to contribute to the cost of a head cam?

Good luck.