A motorcycle instructor, partially paralysed in an accident, fears Government proposals encouraging commuters to switch to bikes will lead to a rise in accidents.

Sarah Sherwood, who owns a 750cc Kawasaki Zephyr, is one of Sussex's only female motorcycle instructors and a fully-qualified bike mechanic.

She has battled her way back to work after being involved in an accident that left her partially paralysed in one leg.

She fears new Government proposals drawn up to encourage commuters to switch from cars to small-engine motorbikes will lead to more accidents.

Four years ago, the 32-year-old mother was knocked off her bike, breaking her leg in two places and fracturing her hip.

She was forced to leave her job as a nurse.

Despite being in a wheelchair, she enrolled on a course at Merton College in London to train in motorcycle maintenance, where she was the only female student in her year.

As her injuries began to heal, she got back on two wheels, riding to lectures with her crutches strapped to the bike.

Although still partially paralysed, she was given a job as an instructor for Lancing-based Southern Riders.

Sarah believes the DVLA's congestion-cutting plan will make the roads more dangerous.

Under new proposals, tax on small motorbikes and mopeds will be cut to virtually nothing, with a simultaneous increase in road tax on bikes above 125cc.

Sarah, who lives in Weir Avenue, Lancing, with partner Jim Earl and toddler son Jake, said: "It's going to make the roads much more dangerous and also, because I have to ride a big bike as an instructor, will penalise me unfairly.

"My bike is now going to cost me as much to tax as my car.

"It's well known among riders that mopeds are the most dangerous bikes, especially for anyone going on major roads, because you've got no power if you need to accelerate out of trouble.

"I understand why the Government wants more people to use motorbikes.

"They're a much greener way of getting around but I think they've got their ideas completely mixed up."

The city branch of the Motorcycle Action Group, which is campaigning against the DVLA's proposals, is holding a meeting at The Grenadier in Hangleton Road, Hove, from 7pm tonight.