Lawyer spotlight: Lena Farnell reflects on Bike Awareness Week 

 Lena Farnell is an Associate & Legal Change Manager specialising in motorcycle personal injury claims. In this article we spotlight the amazing dedication Lena has in her role and her reflections for Bike Awareness week (8–14 June 2026). We share:  

• What Lena’s role entails and her motivation to help others 

• Her experience of the most common injuries suffered by cyclists 

• Why Bike Awareness Week is so important  

• The biggest challenges individuals and their families face following an accident and how litigation can help 

• Advice for cyclists to help protect themselves on the road 

 Recover. Rebuild. Thrive. 

About Lena and her role at Fletchers 

Lena has been with Fletchers for 27 years and has spent most of that time specialising in personal injury, particularly focusing on motorcycle claims. In this time, she has progressed into a team leader, successfully managing a technical motorcycle claims team and managing a new cycling injury team.   

Lena’s decision to specialise in cycling personal injuries is rooted in personal experience. Coming from a family of bikers, she was deeply affected by the loss of her brother-in-law in a motorcycle accident. Understanding the devastating impact they can have, this experience strengthened her determination to support individuals and families affected by cycling accidents and continues to motivate her commitment to securing the best possible outcomes for her clients.  

Day to day Lena manages teams of lawyers, helping them provide the best support possible to clients as quickly as possible, which is essential as vulnerable road users often suffer psychological injuries so dealing with the claim can heighten this stress.  

From Lena’s perspective, working so closely with clients at vulnerable moments has shaped a practical, compassionate approach focused on reducing stress and helping people feel supported through what can be an overwhelming process. 

Experience handling serious cycling injury claims 

Lena’s entire focus is on cycling injuries and motorcycle injuries so most of the injuries her teams see include shoulder injuries and wrist injuries. Due to the design of cycling helmets, injuries to the face are also common. 

Lena frequently sees that even where a collision is narrowly avoided, the sudden need to brake or take evasive action can still result in serious injury for cyclists. Many drivers do not instinctively look for cyclists when pulling out onto a road, and stopping quickly on a bike is not easy, so cyclists can still suffer serious injuries even where a collision is narrowly avoided.  

Bike Awareness Week: Improving safety for cyclists 

Bike awareness week is an annual, week-long celebration organised by Cycling UK to promote cycling’s health, environmental, and social benefits but it also highlights safety on the roads. Lena shares “Cycling makes you a better driver without a doubt, my driving has changed and I’ve become more patient the last 3 years so by raising awareness it can only be good for safety of our vulnerable road users, encouraging patience on the road and understanding the far reach of the consequences when we don’t show patience and tolerance”.  

When asked if there was one key message she would like drivers to hear, Lena said “It is our roads together and we are more than just a cyclist – mother, daughter, wife, friend” 

Challenging misconceptions and improving cyclist safety 

A common misconception Lena sees in her cycling injury cases is that incidents only happen during high‑speed collisions or risky riding. Contrary to this, a cycling injury can arise in everyday situations, such as when a driver pulls out without seeing a cyclist or fails to allow enough space when passing. These moments are often dismissed as minor, yet Lena’s experience shows they can have life‑changing consequences. 

Improving cyclist safety is greater than the right equipment and reflective clothing, from Lena’s perspective there should be an emphasis on greater awareness, patience and attentiveness from drivers, particularly at junctions where cyclists are most vulnerable. Recognising cyclists as legitimate road users and not an annoyance is a key step towards reducing serious injuries. 

Supporting clients to recover, rebuild and thrive 

One of the biggest challenges individuals and their families face in the wake of a cycling accident is overcoming a loss of independence initially and any loss of independence moving forward depending on the severity of the accident. It is completely normal to feel anxious about what happens next, how your injury will impact doing what you love and the people around you.  

Rehabilitation can be instrumental in recovery for many people, but services often have waiting lists, this is where making a claim can help. Lena has seen first-hand how the right support can help clients move forward after a cycling accident when she supported a cyclist who was injured when a driver pulled out without seeing them. Liability was initially disputed, adding further stress at an already difficult time. Securing compensation allowed the client to access treatment and focus on their recovery, rebuilding confidence after the accident. Over time, they were able to look ahead again, including planning to return to cycling and take part in trips they had previously been forced to cancel. 

From Lena’s experience, early legal support often makes the biggest difference where rehabilitation services are delayed or disputed. She regularly sees clients struggling not just with injury, but with uncertainty and being unsure how long recovery may take or how they will adapt. Having the right support in place can ease that pressure, allowing people to focus on rehabilitation rather than the challenges of navigating the process alone. 

At Fletchers, we have an in-house rehabilitation team with great connections and that can often put in place plans for clients to access treatment sooner meaning they are both mentally and physically starting their road to recovery, rebuilding and thriving. 

For Lena and her team, the most rewarding part of our role is seeing the journey clients take from often quite emotional or angry and confused at the start, to when they see the light at the end of the tunnel. Using their expertise to support the people that need it most is incredibly valuable to our teams.  

Advice for cyclists and those affected by serious injuries 

According to UK Department for Transport data in 2024, the most common factor in serious cycling accidents involving a vehicle, is ‘ineffective observation by either the driver or rider or pedestrian’. Many other surveys and studies reflect Lena’s observation; that many cycling collisions could be prevented if drivers slowed down, left adequate space when overtaking, and paid closer attention to cyclists on the road.

While cyclists cannot control the actions of drivers, Lena’s experience working with seriously injured cyclists highlights the importance of taking steps that reflect real‑world risks on the road. Many of the injuries she and her teams see occur not at high speed, but when cyclists are not noticed at junctions, roundabouts, or during overtaking manoeuvres. Improving visibility plays a key role in reducing this risk, particularly in busy traffic or changing light conditions.  

From her experience, making yourself as visible and predictable as possible can help other road users anticipate your presence. This includes using lights even during daylight hours, wearing reflective or high‑contrast clothing, and positioning yourself clearly on the road rather than riding too close to the kerb where drivers may fail to register you. Ensuring your bike is well maintained and wearing appropriate protective clothing can also help reduce the severity of injuries if an accident does occur. 

As Bike Awareness Week highlights, safer roads depend on awareness and responsibility from all road users. While cyclists take reasonable steps to protect themselves, awareness, patience and space from drivers remain critical in preventing serious and life‑changing injuries. 

Cycling injury specialists 

Bike Awareness Week is an important reminder that while cyclists can take steps to reduce risk, accidents can still happen through no fault of their own. When a serious cycling injury occurs, early support can make a significant difference.  

Our specialist cycle injury lawyers understand the emotional and practical impact these accidents can have, not just on those injured but on loved ones also. From accessing rehabilitation and ongoing treatment, to securing compensation that supports recovery, rebuilding independence and getting back on the bike when possible, our team is here to help every step of the way. Contact our team today.