The family of a County Down man who died in a motorcycle collision 10 years ago have made an impassioned road safety plea.
Jay Reardon was 21 years old when he died on July 31, 2016, while riding his bike on Belfast Road in Newtownards. No other vehicle was involved.
Speaking on the 10th anniversary of Jay’s death, his family say they would do anything to have him back.
Jay’s sister Laura says: “If there’s one message we’d like people to take away, it’s that every decision you make on the road matters. Whether you’re driving a car, riding a motorbike, cycling or simply crossing the road, we all have a responsibility to look out for one another.”
Jay loved football, playing for local teams, and was a lifelong Arsenal fan. When he was 20, he ‘landed his dream job’ as a lecturer in Engineering at South Eastern Regional College in Bangor.
Jay was also, in his sister’s words, ‘mad about bikes’, buying a moped as soon as he was legally allowed to drive it.
“I think what Jay enjoyed most about being on the bike was the freedom of it, and the community within bikers. There is a mutual understanding regarding the risks involved, and a huge amount of respect for the roads and each other,” says Laura.
‘Too many milestones missed’
In the 10 years since Jay died, his family say there have been too many milestones he missed out on.
“We can’t share the news of buying our first homes, getting that dream job, attending graduations with him and celebrating all of our wins together,” says Laura. “It brings me great sadness Jay won’t be able to experience some of the most important things in life we all go through. Like falling in love, getting married, having children and travelling the world.
“Life hasn’t been the same since Jay passed, like there is now a void that will never be filled.”
Jay’s sister Anna was just 11 when he died. She misses her funny, mischievous, outdoor-loving big brother who ‘was always there’ for her.
“There are times where I think ‘I’d love Jay to see this’, or ‘I wish Jay was here with me’,” says Anna. “I just hope he’s looking over us all, and can see how far we’ve come.
“It feels like a lifetime since we’ve had Jay in our lives but, at the same time, it feels like yesterday that we got the worst news ever; that Jay has passed away in a motorbike accident.”
Jay’s youngest sister, Susi, will soon be the same age as he was when he died.
“As I approach my 21st birthday, it breaks my heart to realise that this is all Jay ever got to experience in life. He should have had so much more to see, so much more to do, and so many more memories to make.
“I often wish we could go back to that morning and have just one more day of normality before our lives changed forever.
“Jay will always be part of us. He was a cheeky, intelligent and loving brother who brought so much laughter into our lives. Those ordinary moments are the ones you never realise you’ll miss until they’re gone.
“If sharing Jay’s story encourages even one person to be more aware, to take extra care, or to make one safer decision before setting off on a journey, then his legacy will continue to make a difference.”
‘Every person deserves to get home safely’
Laura, Anna and Susi hope by sharing what happened to Jay, it will encourage road users to look out for each other.
“For drivers, we would ask that you take an extra second to look for motorcyclists. Bikes can be easy to miss, but the consequences of not seeing one can be devastating. A moment’s impatience or distraction can change a family’s life forever,” says Laura.
“For bikers, we’d encourage you to enjoy the freedom that comes with riding but never become complacent. Wear the right protective gear, ride within your limits, and always expect the unexpected.”
Laura adds: “The road is something we all share. A little more patience, respect and awareness could save someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, mum or dad. Jay wasn’t just a motorcyclist – he was a beloved son, brother, friend, teacher and colleague.
“Every rider is someone’s loved one, and every person deserves to get home safely.”
Anna says ‘one split second action or decision can change countless lives forever.’
“You don’t want your family to receive the same heart-breaking news that ours did,” says Anna. “Your actions on the road don’t just affect you, they also affect the others. Equally, you don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s family receiving the worst news.
“Be careful and be considerate, especially towards motorcyclists. Please be aware that motorcyclists don’t have the same protection on the road as car drivers, and it’s your responsibility to ensure that everyone on the road is kept safe.”
‘The unexpected’
Susi makes this road safety appeal: “No matter how careful you are, there is always the possibility of the unexpected. None of us ever think we will become part of the statistics, until tragedy changes everything.
“As the weather improves, more people will be out enjoying their bikes and the open roads. Please don’t let the sunshine change the way you protect yourself. Always dress for the slide, not the ride. The right protective clothing could make all the difference.
“It’s also important to remember that not every serious road traffic collision involves excessive speed, drugs or alcohol. Sometimes devastating accidents happen in a split second, without warning. It could happen to anyone.
“Please continue to enjoy the roads, whether you’re travelling by bike or by car, with friends or family, but never lose sight of how precious life is. No journey or moment of fun is worth the heartbreak that can be left behind for those who love you.”
