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Tech

Liverpool cyclist almost killed in van collision launches road safety app Busby

The app automatically detects incidents, and hopes to give vulnerable road users like cyclists 'invisible halos'

Founders of cycling safety app Busby - Kirk Ryan, Barry Green and James Duffy

An accident in which a Merseyside cyclist was almost killed spurred him on to launch an app aimed at making the roads a safer place for all.

Busby automatically detects incidents like a crash or a cyclist coming off their bike, with the new technology asking the rider if they are okay, before alerting emergency contacts if help is needed.

Future plans include technology that will give vulnerable road users like cyclists "invisible halos", making drivers aware of their presence and preventing accidents that the founders say are all too common in areas like Merseyside.

The founders are Liverpool-based trio Kirk Ryan, James Duffy and Barry Green, the latter of whom was caught up in the accident around three years ago.

James, co-founder and commercial director, said: "Barry has always been an avid cyclist and he was out on the roads around Liverpool Airport on a clear day on a clear road.

Busby co-founder Kirk Ryan trying out the cycling safety app with wife Danielle and son Blake

"He was approaching a T-junction when a van pulled out and turned right across him.

"Barry put the brakes on as fast as he could, but doesn't actually remember the impact or anything afterwards. The next thing he knew, he woke up in an ambulance.

"It turned out that had the van been even a metre more advanced, it would have been the end of [Barry]."