Parents of cyclist Emma Burke Newman killed by lorry plagued by graphic thoughts at crash site in Glasgow

The parents of a cyclist knocked down and killed in Glasgow city centre say being near the scene of her death brought up graphic thoughts.

Rose Burke and John Newman were in court this week to hear an admission of guilt from the lorry driver who killed their daughter Emma in January 2023.

Ms Burke and Mr Newman say its important that a ghost bike serving as a memorial to Emma on the Broomielaw continues to serve as a reminder to motorists to slow down and respect cyclists on the roads.

Emma, from Issy-les-Moulineaux, Paris, was a 22-year-old aspiring architect and a keen cyclist who travelled to many cities on her bike.

Her death has left a huge hole in her parents’ lives.

Ms Burke told STV News: “I miss her big hug, her big smile, trying to beat her at Scrabble or any other board games if possible.”

Cycling along the Broomielaw last January, not long after she had moved to the city, Emma was struck and killed by a lorry.

In court on Thursday, the driver admitted his careless actions caused her death.

A ghost bike placed at the scene has become somewhere to remember Emma and others who have lost their lives cycling on the city’s roads.

Bike memorial to Emma Burke Newman. STV News

“For me that’s where I feel Emma’s presence most closely,” said Ms Burke.

“It’s really heartwarming that people, unbeknownst to us, bring flowers. It’s a place that starts conversations.”

Mr Newman added: “Being close to the ghost bike makes me run thought the scenario that happens there more graphically than I would otherwise.

“It conjures up pretty horrible thoughts. In fact, there’s a ghost bike very close to our house with the name of ‘Emma’, another Emma from France, on it. We walk by that ghost bike frequently, so we have this link that’s pretty devastating.”

Emma’s parents have now become bike safety campaigners. Glasgow City Council has started a series of works to expand and improve cycle lanes across the city.

Ms Burke said: “There are a lot of good intentions to build a better road network but while it’s being built people need to take better care on the roads, drivers need to be more patient, brake instead of trying to overcome a cyclist, because every cyclist is some one’s child.”