Environmentalist Riding Electric Unicycle Dies After App Directs Him Onto Busy Road
Benjamin Wells-Lane was fatally injured when he crashed into a lamppost after realizing he could not stop on a dual carriageway.
An environmentalist riding an electric unicycle died after a navigation app directed him onto a busy dual carriageway where he crashed into a lamppost, an inquest heard.
Benjamin Wells-Lane, 46, was traveling on the A338 in Bournemouth, Dorset, a 40 mph stretch of road, when traffic came to a standstill before him. Realizing he could not stop in time, Wells-Lane swerved and collided with a lamppost. Emergency services performed CPR but pronounced him dead at the scene.
The inquest determined that the self-balancing electric unicycle he was riding is illegal for use on British roads.
His widow, Patrisha Wells-Lane, stated that her husband, who worked as a handyman, disliked cars and preferred to use his unicycle or walk to his destinations, believing it to be better for the environment and traffic congestion. She added that the navigation apps her husband used would frequently direct him onto the A338. Mrs. Wells-Lane described her husband as a safety-conscious rider, always wearing a helmet, protective gear, and a high-visibility jacket. She believes the A338 should not be designated as a cycling route, stating that no safety gear could have prevented the fatal injuries.
According to Sergeant Burt of the Dorset Police traffic unit, Wells-Lane had departed from the Richmond Hill roundabout and entered the A338 westbound shortly before 4 p.m. on July 3. The traffic jam that caused the incident was reportedly initiated by a van driver who stopped in the carriageway to retrieve an item, leading to a chain reaction of slowing vehicles. Sergeant Burt reported that Wells-Lane attempted to slow down as he exited the slip road and subsequently hit a lamppost.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Wells-Lane died from bleeding due to a traumatic aortic injury. Assistant Coroner for Dorset, Richard Middleton, recorded the cause of death as a road traffic collision.
Wells-Lane, originally from Utah, had relocated to Poole with his wife in January 2025. His death occurred the day after their second wedding anniversary. His wife paid tribute to him, saying he was truly happy for the first time in his life and that they were partners in every way. She expressed sorrow over the loss of future years together.
Friends and family have installed a memorial bench in his honor on Brownsea Island, a location he frequented and where he volunteered for the Dorset Wildlife Trust.