Six cyclists have died in the capital in the last 13 days.
The recent death of a cyclist in Croydon has caused concern among residents and highlighted the major concerns surrounding dangerous conditions for cyclists in London.
A 40-year-old man, Roger William De Klerk, died on Tuesday after a collision with a bus on Addiscombe road in East Croydon.
Mr De Clerk went into cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital, but sadly pronounced dead at 1.20pm.
Emergency services were also called to another incident which occurred on Kennington Park Road just hours earlier, after a 46-year-old cyclist collided with a bus at a junction. He is now in a ‘serious but stable’ condition.
People took to social media sites to express their concern. Emma Leith said: “Cyclist killed in Croydon. Horrible. Cycling safety and awareness need to be at the forefront of all road users minds.”
Fiona McLean posted: “2 cyclist fatalities in 2 days, yesterday in Croydon today at Bow, again! This isn’t helping to encourage more cycling.”
Kristian Gregory, from Croydon Cycling Campaign, said: “The collisions are just the tip of the iceberg.”
Mr Gregory said that the particular problem areas for cyclists in Croydon include London Road, the Upper Norwood triangle, Mitcham Road and the fiveways and Purley Cross Junction, all of which have been communicated to the council and Transport for London.
“Our politicians need to put the time and effort into learning about the issues and committing to changing the landscape,” Mr Gregory added.
“Time and time again in London the changes we need on the ground have been compromised at the planning stage due to traffic capacity trumping cyclist and pedestrian safety. Politicians need to be bold and be prepared to change the priorities.”
Six cyclists have died in London in the last 13 days.
At Mayor’s Question Time, Boris Johnson insisted that: “I want everybody in London to feel happy and safe on a bike.”
It seems this goal could be some way off unless changes are made.
Mr Gregory said that 67% of car journeys in London are for distances of under three miles and that members of Croydon community would need to be prepared for a future of walking or cycling such short distances and to call on local representatives to help change transport patterns.
“That is, to ask them to favour pleasantness, safety and convenience of pedestrians and cyclists above the speed and capacity of motor traffic in the design and management of our roads and streets,” he said.
“The benefits would be numerous, a safer, quieter, cleaner and healthier city to call our home.”
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