A District Court judge yesterday described bicycles as potentially dangerous weapons after a 23-year-old woman was almost killed when a cyclist ploughed into her as she crossed the road.

Jessica Goodson was left with traumatic head injuries and had to learn to walk, talk and eat again after the April 2016 crash on Hay Street in Perth.

Stunned by the sight of a bicycle coming at her at about 20km/h, Ms Goodson paused for just under a second as she crossed the road on her way to work.

The rider, 55-year-old Christopher Robert Watt, was not paying attention to his surroundings and did not swerve or brake before he hit her.

Watt, an avid cyclist who has been vocal about irresponsible road users, was yesterday given a one-year jail term, suspended for 16 months. Judge Linda Petrusa told the court bicycles were capable of being used as weapons and said riders had to realise they were carrying great responsibility.

Camera Icon Chris Watt leaves court after receiving a suspended sentence. Credit: Picture : Ian Munro

“Bicycles ride on the road and keep up with cars, so the suggestion that they can’t do harm and are somehow an innocuous instrument I find difficult to accept,” Judge Petrusa said.

“Whilst there are occasions when you as the cyclist are the one in the disadvantaged position, in comparison to pedestrians it is cyclists that represent the danger.

“You are the person who was in control of the weapon on this occasion and you must, and should be, as concerned for the safety of pedestrians as you would want those driving cars and vehicles to be.”

The incident sparked debate about whether cyclists should have third-party insurance to ensure pedestrians who were seriously injured were not left out of pocket. It also left cycling groups and councils calling for better separation between pedestrians, cyclists and cars.

Watt pleaded not guilty to the relatively new charge of culpable driving causing grievous bodily harm but was convicted after a trial last year.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years jail.

Watt, who does not drive because he has epilepsy, likely rode through a red light shortly before the accident.

Judge Petrusa told the cyclist he had to accept that he was one of those “irresponsible riders” that he had expressed frustration with in the past.

But she accepted he was sorry and that his period of in-attention before the crash was short.

The court was told Ms Goodson’s life and career had been put on hold as she tried to regain her mental skills and agility.

“The effect of this on her has been pervasive and traumatic,” Judge Petrusa said.

“This event is a tragedy but it is a tragedy that could have been avoided.”