A disabled boy was hit by a cyclist who gave a terrible excuse.

Annette Kellow was taking her six-year-old son Felix for a walk around Kensington High Street. It was 5:30pm, and they were trying to avoid the rush hour traffic. They were minding their own business, when suddenly, a cyclist came zooming by on the pavement, colliding full force with Felix. The cyclist, trying to defend his actions, muttered, "I couldn't stop." Annette's initial reaction was shock and fear, but she managed to gasp out, "You've hurt him."

Felix has a rare disability called Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia, which means his blood does not clot without medical intervention. This means that even a small bump or knock can result in a life-threatening bleed. As a mother, it is always a constant worry for Annette. Their lives are full of hospital visits and at-home care, and they have to be extremely cautious in their daily activities. Even something as simple as a nosebleed can turn into a serious situation for Felix.

So when Annette saw the reckless cyclist collide with her son, she was frozen with fear. She couldn't believe someone would be so careless and put her son's life in danger. With Felix, they have to be extra careful, but they also try to live their lives to the fullest, despite the challenges they face.

Felix has a port-a-cath to make it easier for him to receive medication in case of a bleed. Annette has learned how to administer medication at home for mild bleeds, but for longer bleeds, they have to go to the hospital. It's a constant struggle, and even on New Year's Eve, they found themselves in the hospital, watching the fireworks on TV while Felix received a platelet transfusion to stop a nosebleed.

Unfortunately, the incident with the cyclist was not an isolated one. Annette was too shocked to do anything but get Felix to the hospital. The cyclist had disappeared, and it was considered a hit-and-run. Annette's friends later told her she should have gotten the cyclist's information, but in that moment, all she could think about was her son's well-being.

Felix was acting dazed and confused, and Annette knew they needed to get to the hospital immediately. They took a taxi to A&E, and Felix received injections to help stop the bleeding. He was then rushed to get an MRI to make sure there was no bleeding in his brain, which could be fatal for someone with Glanzmann's.

Annette was filled with a range of emotions – anger, sadness, and fear – at the unnecessary ordeal they had to go through. She couldn't believe someone would be so reckless and endanger her son's life. She was also worried about Felix's well-being, as he seemed to be in shock and was not responding to anyone.

Cycling accidents are not uncommon, but Annette has noticed a rise in cyclists who seem to have a disregard for the safety of others. Every day in London, she sees cyclists speeding, skipping lights, and riding on pavements. While most cyclists are responsible and aware, there is a growing concern for those who are not.

The exact number of pedestrians injured by cyclists in the UK is unclear, but there were 462 recorded injuries in 2022, with 15 fatalities between 2016 and 2021. MP Iain Duncan Smith has been campaigning for stricter consequences for dangerous cycling, but currently, the penalty is only a maximum fine of £2,500.

Annette believes that there should be stricter laws for cyclists who endanger others. They should be held accountable for their actions, just like dangerous drivers. There should also be speed limits, consequences for cycling the wrong way, and penalties for using phones while cycling. And most importantly, cycling on pavements should be banned, for the safety of innocent bystanders.

Thankfully, Felix's brain scan came back clear, and his bumps and bleeds were able to be treated at the hospital. But for Annette, it was a wake-up call. She hopes that the laws will change to protect others from similar incidents. As she says, "If not for themselves, then for the innocent bystanders around them."

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