Cape Town Cycle Tour champion Lynette Burger is steadily recovering at home following her recent discharge from the Netcare Sunward Park Hospital.
Burger, who was hit by a taxi while training during the early hours of September 26, suffered severe injuries after the ordeal and spent two-and-a-half weeks under intensive care and three days under high care.
The injuries included 10 broken ribs on her left side and four on the right, punctures in both lungs, slight bleeding on the brain and a broken collarbone.
Quizzed on her recovery process, she said: “It’s slow, there’s no timeline. I’m taking it day by day. For the first time I’m actually listening to my body, us cyclists don’t normally do that,” she joked during an interview at her home.
On what could be done to improve the safety of cyclists on the road, the team Demacon member continued: “It’s a big debate: so many cyclists get hit on a day to day basis.
“My husband got hit last year in May but nothing is done about it.
“From a cyclist’s point of view, all I can say is that we should be more careful because your life can be gone in just a second.
“For cars in general, drivers just need to have more patience on the road, it’s really difficult to find a suitable way forward.”
Burger’s return to competitive cycling hinges on how well she recovers but the competitive mother of two is eager to get back on the bike.
“It’s obviously frustrating, I’m very competitive but I cannot tell whether I’ll return to competitive cycling yet. Physically and emotionally I’m not there yet.”
On her message to everyone that’s supported her, she added: “I’d just like to give everyone a big thank you, not just family and friends.
“The amount of support I’ve gotten has been overwhelming, I can’t say thank you enough. If it weren’t for the support, I don’t know what would’ve happened.
“I missed my boys while in ICU because they’re obviously not allowed to go in there and I couldn’t leave it at that moment but seeing them now every day puts a smile on my face.”
ALSO READ:
Star cyclist still in a critical condition following crash
For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Benoni City Times, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.
