Sandy Peters , a former marathon runner and volunteer, was struck by a teenage rider on an illegal e‑bike on a Sutton pavement seven months ago. The high‑speed impact shattered her nose, broke cheekbones and left her with severe PTSD, while the bike’s operator, Forest, offered no third‑party insurance to cover her medical costs.

Teenage Rider’s Illegal Pavement Ride on October 30

On October 30, the day of her son’s 22nd birthday,a teenage boy rode a Forest e‑bike at speed on the sidewalk, hitting Peters from behind and sending her face‑first into a brick wall. the collision caused a shattered nose, broken cheekbones, a misaligned jaw and nerve damage to several front teeth, injuries that require expensive dental work she cannot afford.

Forest’s No‑Insurance Policy Leaves Victim Uncompensated

According to the source, Forest, unlike competitors such as Lime, chooses not to provide third‑party insurance for its riders, and Sutton Council’s exclusive contract does not obligate the company to secure coverage. This policy left Peters with no legal recourse for her medical bills, highlighting a loophole in the regulation of Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs).

PTSD and NHS Waiting Lists Compound the Trauma

The source notes that Peters also suffers from severe post‑traumatic stress disorder, struggling to obtain timely treatment because of long NHS waiting lists. She describes herself as “nervous,jumpy, and cautious,” now fearing any pavement walk and haunted by peripheral movement.

Calls for Legal Action and Stricter EAPC Regulation

Peters hopes a law firm will take her case on a no‑win, no‑fee basis to push for tighter regulations on e‑bikes.. The source reports she wants legislation that forces operators like Forest to carry third‑party insurance, aiming to protect vulnerable pedestrians from similar incidents.