Teenage cyclist uses compensation money from road smash to fund budding racing career

An Edinburgh cyclist who was awarded compensation from a ‘terrifying’ cycle collision says that the money funded a race bike that’s helped him achieve success on the junior circuit.

Alex Kinsley was 15 when he was cut down by a driver in 2012 as he cycled home from rugby training on a friend’s bike.

He was smashed into the windscreen but said that his helmet and backpack potentially saved him from more serious injuries.

Alex told the Scotsman: “I was only wearing my jogging bottoms and a T-shirt the day of my crash but luckily my helmet and backpack helped protect me from more serious injuries.

“Even though it was a pretty terrifying experience, I’m grateful I was able to walk away without too much damage.”

With the help of the law firm Cycle Law Scotland, he launched a legal claim against the driver and won a compensation claim of over £4000.

Alex used the money to replaced the damaged bike and buy a new road bike, and went on to win his first cycle race, the Gifford Road Race, in April last year. Since then he’s raced 21 times and achieved his Cat 2 licence.

Alex said: “2013 was an amazing year for me and I’ve had a fantastic time training and competing. I really wasn’t aware of my ability until I got to train with [coach] Gareth George and race against other people.”

Following his success, Cycle Law Scotland became Alex’s sponsor.

Cycle Law Scotland founder Brenda Mitchell said: “We met up with Alex again at the first Pedal on Parliament event and were very glad to see that he was using his settlement to further his cycling career.

“Alex is clearly a very talented cyclist which is why we are delighted to sponsor him. We are dedicated to supporting cycling at grass roots level and we wish Alex all the best.”