A father left just ‘hours from death’ after a collision with an uninsured e-bike rider is calling for a change in the law.
Mohamed Ressum, 44, was cycling in Surbiton, southwest London, when he was ‘hit really suddenly’ by an oncoming Forest e-bike and left lying on the pavement after being ‘knocked over with force’
The builder, who suffered a bleed on the brain and broken ribs, was rushed to hospital and told by medics he was lucky to be alive.
Mr Ressum is taking legal action against e-bike operators Forest for his injuries and loss of earnings.
He claims he has been left with constant headaches, nightmares, and is afraid to leave his house since the crash.
Recalling the incident, he said: ‘I smashed my head and lay on the pavement for several minutes before anybody even came over to check on me.
‘A police car stopped for one minute and the officers did nothing, not even checking if I was okay or if anybody was to blame.
‘The pain in my head was excruciating but I was told to sit in A&E for hours. When I finally had a scan a bleed on my brain was found and I was blue lighted to another hospital for surgery.
‘Afterwards I was told I had been hours away from death.’
Pictured: Mohamed Ressum, 44, in hospital with life-changing injuries following a collision with a Forest e-bike
Shocking CCTV footage showed the moment Mr Ressum was left sprawled on the pavement after colliding with a rental e-bike
Mr Ressum said he was ‘easy going’ before the accident but has been left ‘terrified’ by walking under trees or seeing a bike.
He continued: ‘I wake up with a headache like I have been drinking all night, suffer nightmares and I can’t work on building sites. It’s changed me completely.’
Until now, Mr Ressum has been unable to claim compensation as the type of incident is not covered by Forest’s public liability insurance.
‘There needs to be a change in the law to protect people who get hurt by these bikes,’ Mr Ressum said.
‘Nobody knows that if you are hit by a Forest bike then you are in serious trouble and won’t get any support.
‘Bike hire companies should be compelled by law to have insurance to protect other people.
Mr Ressum (pictured) is now suing e-bike operators Forest for compensation after suffering broken ribs and a bleed on the brain following the incident
Pictured: passersby come to help after both riders were knocked off their bikes during the collision
‘Children are riding these bikes and they aren’t protected. This needs to change now as I don’t wany anybody else to go through what I have suffered.’
Laura Swaine, the lawyer representing Mohamed, said: ‘People who suffer terrible life changing injuries like my client must be able to access fair compensation to reflect their loss and I would urge Forest to do the right thing and offer him a financial settlement to help him rebuild his life.’
A Forest spokesperson said: ‘We are deeply saddened about this accident, and our thoughts are with the individuals involved.
‘In line with most of the industry, Forest has comprehensive public liability insurance which covers incidents arising from a mechanical fault or failure of our bikes.
‘Our focus is on maintaining our bikes to the highest possible safety standards and helping riders use them safely and with care.
‘The vast majority of Forest riders use our service considerately, and all new users complete in-app safety training before their first journey.
‘While we do everything we can to encourage and support good riding behaviour, cyclists ultimately have a duty to follow the rules of the road and ride safely.’
