The tragedy of a motorcyclist fatally brain-damaged in a high-speed smash highlights the need to cut death and injury on Bradford's roads, a safety expert said today.

Simon Knowles spent five years needing round-the-clock nursing care after he was paralysed in a "suicidal manoeuvre" on his souped-up 1,000cc Yamaha R1.

His resumed inquest yesterday followed last month's launch of a Telegraph & Argus campaign urging drivers to take more care.

The crash left Mr Knowles wanting to die because he felt he had no quality of life, the inquest heard.

His bike struck a car turning left into Netto supermarket in New Line, Greengates, Bradford, on June 9, 2001.

He had never passed a bike test and was travelling at up to twice the speed limit.

His head struck a wall and his crash helmet flew off before he landed in the road bleeding heavily from the head.

Mr Knowles died in Bradford Royal Infirmary on June 10 after he was admitted from Birkleas Nursing Home in Staveley Road, Shipley. He lived alone on Ravenscliffe estate and had been riding motorbikes since he was a child but had never taken a test, his mother Shirley Chattaway said in a statement.

She told how her son was in a coma for two months after the crash.

She said he remembered nothing about the accident. On some days he could communicate with his family, but not on others.

"He wanted his family to assist him to die. He had no quality of life whatsoever," she said.

Mr Knowles died of pneumonia almost five years to the day after the crash.

The inquest heard that the illness was "a direct consequence of the road traffic injury". His paralysis increased the likelihood of infection and he had a collapsed lung.

A witness told how Mr Knowles accelerated "over-aggressively" from the junction of Harrogate Road. He was estimated to be going up to 60mph in a 30mph zone when he "undertook" the car.

Witness Peter Meehan said it was "a suicidal manoeuvre".

Police forensic vehicle examiner William Collins said the bike had been upgraded to increase its power and speed. It was fitted with racing tyres which were legal "but not ideal". They played no part in the crash because the rider had no chance to brake.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Assistant Deputy Coroner Paul Marks said it was a tragic case.

Mr Knowles was "undertaking" while a car was legally turning left. He died five years later after suffering "one of the worse forms of brain injury".

Harrogate Road has been named by police as one of the three most dangerous roads in the Bradford North police division.

Philip Gwynne, of the West Yorkshire Casualty Reduction Partnership, which backs the T&A campaign, said: "The year 2001-02, when this crash happened, was a ten-year high in West Yorkshire for road death and injury.

"It was also the year the partnership was established with a remit to reduce casualties by 40 per cent by the year 2010, against the average for the mid-90s, and reduce child casualties by 50 per cent."

Mr Gwynne said there had recently been an increase in reckless and illegal driving among young male motorists that had led to fatal crashes.