London cyclists urged to protest after fourth death in eight days

London Cycling Campaign issues call to action

Published: November 13, 2013 at 4:00 pm

London cyclists have been urged to attend a peaceful protest tonight at the site where a woman in her mid-20s was killed by a lorry today, to call calling for safer cycling in capital.

The vigil has been triggered after incident at Bow Roundabout in East London this morning. She was the fourth cyclist to die in London in eight days. Three cyclists have died on Bow roundabout since 2011.

The protest has been organised by the London Cycling Campaign and starts at 6pm tonight. In July, more than 2,000 protesters turned out for a similar demonstration after three cyclists were killed in three weeks.

In its call to action, the LCC said: "Today, we've been inundated with calls, emails and messages of condolences for the families, as well as a huge sense of shock and frustration at the lack of action to implement measures that protect cyclists and pedestrians at Bow.

"As far back as September 2012, we outlined the risks to cyclists to Leon Daniels (Head of Surface Transport, Transport for London) posed by Bow roundabout.

"Despite the early start facility recently introduced, we urged TfL to consider installing cycling and pedestrian-safe traffic lights at Bow roundabout recommended by our experts and TfL’s own consultants to reduce the risks to both cyclists and pedestrians."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said today: "More work is underway and, although changes cannot be made instantly, they are being done as quickly as possible – this is and remains an absolute priority for me, my team and TfL.”