A MOPED rider has warned other bikers to take care after suffering life-threatening in a crash.

To help raise the profile of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Ulverston's Kristian Perry, 18, has warned other motorbikers to be equipped with appropriate equipment after he was left in a critical condition after his 50cc moped collided with a vehicle.

The legal age for someone to purchase a moped - which have top speeds of 30mph - is 16 years old, and as summer approaches, Mr Perry said he was concerned for young people’s safety.

He said: “My incident was in Lindal over six weeks ago on my way home to Ulverston.

“I remember blinking for a brief second on my 50cc moped, then I remember my body hitting a lamppost, with my bike down the road.

“I was in a life-threatening condition and once I arrived at Furness General Hospital they didn’t know if I was going to make it.

“I was later transferred to Royal Preston Hospital, where I remained in an Intensive Care Unit for nine days, with a total time in hospital reaching five and a half weeks.

“My injuries include a grade-four laceration to my liver, a damaged right kidney which has left me with very little function, a fractured arm, fluid in my lungs, and a damaged nerve in my right arm.

“I now have hardly any movement in my right hand, or wrist, which is expected to last for a year.”

Along with dealing with his list of painful injuries, Mr Perry stated he would be dead if not for his helmet, protective gloves, and motorbike jacket.

He added: “I was told by hospital staff my jacket and helmet saved my life.

“My 50cc moped could only go 30mph, which means 16-year-olds are able to ride them after completing a very basic test.

“A lot of young people are not wearing the appropriate gear and as summer approaches this will only get worse.

“My advice is to invest in certified riding equipment, no matter the cost.”

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month runs throughout May.