Cyclist Damian Taylor tragically died after he was struck by a lorry in Salford. His mum and step-dad now want to make the roads saferRhiannon Leeds and Karen Delaney from TFGM, Julie Turnbull, and Mark O’Brien (L to R)(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Damian Taylor always loved cycling. The father-of-five led a busy life and was ‘always on his bike’ darting between school pick-ups and drop-offs.

But the 41-year-old was tragically killed while on his bike after he was struck by a lorry on Cromwell Road in Salford last year. Intending to go straight at the lights at the junction with Langley Road South, he lost his life after a HGV driver turning left failed to see him.

His mum Julie Turnbull and step-dad Mark O’Brien revisited the junction on Friday (May 16), exactly a year on from Damian’s death, in an emotional ceremony to erect a ghost bike in his memory. They told the Manchester Evening News they wanted to encourage HGV drivers to be more aware of cyclists to make sure the roads are safe for everyone.

“Damian was a bit of a jack-the-lad,” Julie said, paying tribute to her beloved son. “He had five children and he’d pick them up from school every other day and have them at the weekends.

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“He was always on his bike. He went everywhere on his bike and always wore the right stuff.

“The last year has been so difficult for his family and children.”

Damian was described as a ‘beloved’ father and son and a keen cyclist(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Ghost bikes are bicycle roadside memorials placed where a cyclist has been severely injured or killed, usually as a result of a collision with a vehicle. As well as a memorial, they act as powerful reminders to motorists to share the road and be aware of cyclists around them.

The couple said the creation of the ghost bike felt like a ‘powerful achievement’ and an important way to honour Damian’s memory while promoting safe cycling and driving.

They have been working with road safety officers from Salford Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to erect the bike and promote informative stickers on the back of lorries alerting cyclists to drivers’ blind spots.

The family held an emotional ceremony on Friday(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“We know the situation Damian was in – he was at the side of the wagon and the wagon driver couldn’t see him because he was in his blind spot,” Mark explained.

“As he turned left he went over Damian without realising he was even there.”

Mark has also designed a light that can be fitted to handlebars and raised when in a similar situation so as to alert HGV drivers of a cyclist’s presence.

The bike is decorated with a memorial plaque to Damian(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“We’ve also been hoping to go to factories that use heavy goods vehicles and asking them to look at ways they can make it safer for cyclists,” he added.

The family were joined by Rhiannon Leeds from TfGM and Karen Delaney, Safer Roads Partnership manager to place Damien’s memorial.

“We just really want to remind people to drive carefully,” Julie said. “We hope it will be a powerful reminder.”