A cyclist who was knocked off his bike and taken to hospital last night has urged motorists to "think bike".

Bryan May, 49, was involved in the crash at 7.40pm on the A258 Deal to Dover Road at the Ripple Road junction.

Emergency crews were called to the road - a 30mph zone - and worked on Mr May for 40 minutes before taking him to hospital with back pain and bruising.

He said: "I want to remind drivers to be more cautious. Especially now the weather is getting better and the nights are getting lighter. More bikes will be on the roads."

He also urged cyclists to always wear the correct safety kit.

The father of two, of Ringwould, had lights on his bike, was wearing a helmet, a hi-vis jacket and had reflective strips on his bag.

He was taking advantage of the good weather riding home from Nonington when the crash happened.

"I want to remind drivers to be more cautious. Especially now the weather is getting better and the nights are getting lighter. More bikes will be on the roads..." - Bryan May

He said: "I never go on the Ringwould Straight, I turn off and go through the back roads and that is what I was about to do when I got hit."

Today, Mr May says he feels "very lucky", but is and very sore and is off work. He is waiting to hear whether spinal damage has occurred.

A spokesman from South East Coast Ambulance Service said: "An ambulance car and an ambulance attended.

“The man was treated at the scene before being taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.”

Police were also at the scene. The incident is being treated as an accident and no arrests were made.

Mr May, a transport manager at haulage firm Ovenden, appears in the East Kent Mercury today advertising the company's new bike friendly tipper trucks.

The firm installed bike sensors and mechanical warning sounds to alert tipper drivers that a cyclist is near. They also tell cyclists of a driver's intention to turn left.

The cyclist of 15 years is in training for a couple of fitness challenges this year, including the Pilgrims Hospices Cycling Challenge. It has put his training back and his carbon-framed bike is beyond repair.