Video: LCC highlights bike lane dangers following cyclist's death

The London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has highlighted the dangers posed by a cycle lane in Pimlico, Central London, where a cyclist was killed after being hit by a lorry last month.

Everton Smith, aged 48, from Fulham, died after being struck by the vehicle on the morning of Saturday 22 May close to the junction of Vauxhall Bridge Road and Drummond Gate, and police are asking witnesses to the incident to contact them on 020 8285 1574.

The accident took place on the northbound side of Vauxhall Bridge Road, and there is an equally narrow cycle lane on the opposite side of the road which has been graphically captured in a video posted to YouTube by user gaz545, who says “I hate this lane, it gives cyclist false hope that they are protected and car drivers and [sic] excuse to pass close!”

The footage itself shows cyclists using the lane forced to cycle right next to the kerb due to the close proximity of a passing coach, one of many to use the road, which is the main route south out of Victoria Coach Station.

According to LCC, the narrowness of the cycle lane results in cyclists having to adopt an unsafe position on the road, particularly when there are large vehicles such as lorries or coaches nearby.

LCC Communications Officer Mike Cavenett said: "This cycle lane is so narrow it was almost not possible to put a bicycle logo on it.

"It's a facility that says to drivers that bikes should be in the gutter, and encourages cyclists to ride in a position that National Standards Training says is unsafe.

He continued: "It's not known whether this lane contributed to Mr Smith's death, but something clearly needs to be done about these potentially lethal facilities.”