Cyclist seriously injured in A259 hit-and-run speaks out

Gary Alexander was struck by a hit-and-run driver on the A259, leaving him with bones broken in three out of his four limbs and requiring surgery.

The Brighton resident said cyclists used to enjoy a safer, two-way cycle lane above Hove Lawns which separated bicycles from traffic.

The A259 cycle lane on Brighton seafront

However, westbound cyclists now have to use the new lane in the road which was built by Brighton and Hove City Council last August.

Mr Alexander was not cycling in a cycle lane when he was struck.

The hit-and-run happened in April after the 54-year-old was directed back into traffic during resurfacing works on the westbound cycle lane, which had been closed.

But Mr Alexander believes having cycle lanes completely separated from traffic is safer than having them in the road with a bollard partition.

He has broken bones in three out of his four limbs

Mr Alexander said: “They’re taking government money and putting cycle lanes in, but not thinking it through properly.

“Had they not introduced that new cycle lane, or allowed the other lane to be two-way while the road was being resurfaced, this would not have happened.

“I’ve now got a plate in my left wrist, two plates in the right arm, a replacement socket at the end of a radial bone, as well as a broken right heel.”

Mr Alexander was struck by the black car – either an Audi or BMW – at about 11.40am near Brunswick Terrace while on his way to the dentist on Thursday, April 15.

The car left the scene and Sussex Police are yet to make an arrest.

He said: “It all happened so quickly, all the other cars passed without issues and the next thing I know I’m hit and sprawled out in the road. The driver behind said it looked deliberate.

“I’m not allowed to put any weight on my right foot for another month and it could be about 18 months before I get full use, but there’s a chance this might not come back.”

Gary Alexander was taken to hospital with serious injuries

He is making an appeal for people on the seafront who have CCTV which captured images along the road between 11.40 and noon.

As one lane was closed and Mr Alexander was laying in the other, it’s predicted the black car would be the last vehicle before a lengthy gap in traffic.

People can email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or report online or call 101 quoting serial 570 of 15/04.

Mr Alexander said: "Should they have kept the old lane two-way and not put any ones in, it would not have happened. Full stop.

“I would have been in the pavement in the cycle lane and not on the main road.”

The keen cyclist said parts of other lanes in the city are now more dangerous than before.

He points to the Old Shoreham Road junction with Stapley Road, the conflict with disabled parking on the A259, and the Lewes Road lane near Elm Grove which "turns into a bus stop". 

A council spokesman said: “We’re very sorry Mr Alexander has been injured and we hope he makes a full recovery.

“The cycle lanes we have introduced since the pandemic have been created in accordance with government guidance.

“We consulted residents during February and March to get their views on transport changes in the city – including cycle lanes – that are designed to support active, inclusive and sustainable travel.

“A report analysing the findings from this consultation is due to be considered by councillors in the summer.”