Last updated 11:18, Saturday, 24 May 2008

BLOND haired Simon Lawson has become a familiar sight on the coast road near Maryport, powering along on something that looks like a cross between a wheelchair and a bicycle.

Simon Lawson, often seen on the coast road with his hand-pedalled bike

Simon, 25, of Bank End Farm, Maryport, can be seen most days in rain, hail or shine on board his hand-pedalled bike.

And he is driven on by the challenge of overcoming the accident that put paid to a promising MotoX career in July 2001, when he was just 18.

Simon had already won nearly everything in his class and came 10th in a British Champion race, the first youngster to gain that success in an open field.

Days later his life was changed forever. He crashed, sustaining horrific injuries, during routine training on a practice circuit at his family’s farm near Maryport Golf Club. He was in the middle of a jump that he had done many times before.

A broken back left him paralysed from the top of his chest down.

He suffered internal bleeding and was kept in an induced coma for a week to allow his body to heal.

When he came around it was to the realisation that not only was his MotoX career over but that he would never walk again.

He said: “At first it was okay. I came out of hospital and was glad to be home, but there were some dark times after that.”

“I really didn’t have any hobbies apart from MotoX which was going to be my career. I was very focussed.”

Simon does not dwell on the negatives. His friends have stuck by him and his positive response has ensured he is not forgotten in MotoX circles.

This month he is featured in a seven-page article in the MotoX magazine, bought by fans of the sport all over the world.

Keeping fit remains a priority.

He said: “Just like anyone, if I sit around a lot I get backache and I don’t feel as good. I like to exercise as much as I can.”

Exercising means taking his hand pedalled bike out as often as he can.

During the day he is a mechanic at his parents’ motorcycle shop in Carlisle, which specialises in MotoX bikes, accessories and spare parts.

When he gets home in the evening he takes off, usually riding 15 to 20 miles, and at weekends about 60 miles.

On the flat he reaches speeds of about 15mph, achieved solely through the use of his arms and shoulders.

He has a gym set up at home and, remarkably, still has the chance to do MotoX, even if not at competition level.

In 2006 he found out about a person in similar circumstances in the USA who was able to ride a motorbike after modifying it. He got in touch to see what had been done and then did the same thing here.

His younger brother Richard competes and the family, Simon and parents Kath and Steve, travel to watch him.

Simon loves being around the bikes and is proud of his brother’s successes.

He travels to MotoX meetings on his own hand cycle. He has his own adapted car, but why drive when you can pedal?

He’s just bought a racing wheelchair and has an eye on marathons.

“I’ve always been competitive. I think that has helped me,” said this inspirational man.