was the message driven home to Mark Semos after he admitted riding his bike without due care.

Semos, 20, of Highwood Lane, Paget, was injured after his sloppy riding caused an accident, Magistrates' Court heard.

And yesterday he faced a further penalty -- a $300 fine meted out by Acting Senior Magistrate the Wor. Charles-Etta Simmons.

Prosecutor Insp. Peter Duffy said Semos was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Front Street, near its junction with King Street, on August 11.

Semos was on an auxiliary bike and conversing with someone riding beside him.

He failed to see a parked truck, and smashed into it, injuring himself, said Insp. Duffy.

Semos, who needed hospital treatment, told the court the road was poorly lit at the time, and the truck was dark.

He also denied talking to another road user.