Recurring concern

Insufficient width for safe cyclist passage

First to latest report 14 Apr 2014 — 4 Nov 2024

Reports that mention this concern
5
Times this concern has been raised
5
Stated actions linked to this concern
7

What this concern includes

Includes public roads, cycle lanes, shared paths and comparable routes where insufficient width for cyclist passage is identified as a continuing safety deficiency, including the anchor's narrow section of LAVENDER HILL and the narrow shared path used by cyclists and pedestrians.

What is not included
  • Excludes vehicle-only road-width deficiencies where cyclist passage is not a material safety concern.
  • Excludes hazards caused solely by poor visibility, surface condition, tramlines, signage, barriers or traffic speed where route width is not the shared unsafe condition.
  • Excludes general cycle-lane design or pedestrian-route deficiencies where insufficient width for cyclist passage is not identified.
  • Excludes isolated collisions or vulnerable road-user outcomes without an ongoing width deficiency.

Reports and published responses 5 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. Oxfordshire

    AI-generated summary

    Polly Mary Margaret Friedhoff · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Polly Mary Margaret Friedhoff, aged 81, died at John Radcliffe Hospital on 2 December 2022 from injuries sustained after a collision with a pedal cyclist on the path beside the River Thames at Iffley Lock, Oxford. The principal concern was the safety of pedestrians using a narrow shared path that is frequently used by cyclists, including some travelling at significant speed, creating a risk of serious injury or death.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient path width for safe sharing by pedestrians and cyclists

    Wider context from the report

    “The concern relates to the safety of users, particularly pedestrians who appear to at greatest risk of injury as was the case with Mrs Friedhoff. Indeed, the speed of the cyclist was not excessive in this case but the injuries caused in the subsequent fall were serious. I understand this part of the path at the lock is popular with pedestrians and cyclists. It is a shared space, albeit strictly speaking it is a footpath and cyclists are not permitted to use it unless they have permission. In reality it is heavily used by cyclists for leisure and commuting and some cyclists travel at significant speed in close proximity to pedestrians. One of the main problems is that the path at the location of Mrs Friedhoff’s accident is only about 2 metres wide. A short distance before this the path is only 1.6 metres wide. I understand from ████████ that national guidance for such a path is 3.5 metres. Mrs Friedhoff’s sons are very familiar with the location and describe it as normal pavement width but with cyclists permitted to cycle on it, thereby creating an obvious accident risk. It is also noteworthy that the surface of the path has been upgraded in recent years which, in all probability, has encouraged its use by cyclists and enabled them to cycle faster. I appreciate that OCC, and perhaps the Environment Agency, have given considerable thought to the safety issue and have not found a clear solution. It is not for me to make recommendations but I do request a further review to see if there are any mitigating measures, not least with clear signage reminding users, particularly cyclists, of the need to take care and slow down around pedestrians. At inquest, there was some evidence and discussion in relation to the following; -A communications package, perhaps with a public consultation element. -Stronger enforcement ( I understand the Environment Agency do not permit cyclists to cycle through locks and there are signs about this but do so nevertheless). I appreciate it is difficult to enforce this and the focus may necessarily be on speed. -Gates or similar to slow cyclists. -Segregation lines but the narrow width of the path no doubt makes this problematic. -Reconfiguring so that the path is redirected through the small woods that are present at the location. This may afford the opportunity to have 2 separate paths at the location, one that is gated for pedestrians and one for cyclists. In short, given my concern that accidents may continue to occur that could result in death, OCC are asked to carry out a safety review in conjunction with the Environment Agency and other stakeholders where appropriate. ”

    Source location

    Polly Mary Margaret Friedhoff · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Undertake volunteer vegetation clearance around the Iffley Lock site.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “(2) Vegetation clearance – Whilst it is noted that the fatality took place in December when typically, overgrown trees/ vegetation may be less of a factor, both organisations appreciate that especially during summer months vegetation growth can restrict user space and visibility increasing the likelihood of conflict. Both the county council and”

    Source location

    Response from Oxfordshire County Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 5 November 2024

    Open published response

  2. Oxfordshire

    AI-generated summary

    Jennifer Wong · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Jennifer Wong died at the scene of a road traffic accident on Headington Road, Oxford, on 26 September 2021, after a mobile crane turning left knocked her from her cycle and ran over her. The report identifies concerns about the crane driver's significant nearside blind spots and the lack of close-proximity mirrors or other visibility measures. It also raises concerns about the layout and width of the cycle lane, which may bring cyclists into conflict with vehicles turning left.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient cycle-lane width

    Wider context from the report

    “The second concern relates to the width of the cycle lane. It is believed to be 0.95 metres wide at this location but the recommended width is 1.2m or perhaps 1.5m. I understand this is an issue which has already been raised following a site meeting. There may be valid reasons why the lane is the width it is but I would be grateful if this could be considered. ”

    Source location

    Jennifer Wong · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 6 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Amend cycle-lane widths to meet the Department for Transport’s 1.2-metre minimum standard.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The original width of 0.95m was a legacy of a scheme that was installed some 10 plus years ago. The cycle widths are being amended to meet the current standards set out by the Department for Transport (1.2m minimum) and work is being undertaken by the council to establish where other sections of the city cycle network may be falling short of current standards. As mentioned previously, the amended designs and works will be completed by the end of November 2022.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxfordshire County Council
    Page 2 · response
    Published 16 January 2023

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Identify other city cycle-network sections that fall below current width standards.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The original width of 0.95m was a legacy of a scheme that was installed some 10 plus years ago. The cycle widths are being amended to meet the current standards set out by the Department for Transport (1.2m minimum) and work is being undertaken by the council to establish where other sections of the city cycle network may be falling short of current standards. As mentioned previously, the amended designs and works will be completed by the end of November 2022.”

    Source location

    Response from Oxfordshire County Council
    Page 2 · response
    Published 16 January 2023

    Open published response

  3. Inner West London

    AI-generated summary

    Lucia CICCIOLI · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Lucia CICCIOLI was cycling westbound through the junction of Latchmere Road and Elspeth Road towards Lavender Hill when she lost her balance after travelling over a dip in the road and collided with a MAN lorry. She sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The principal concerns were inadequate cycle-lane provision and protection, the junction layout and yellow box, the narrow road, and a dangerous dip in the road requiring urgent repair.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Narrow road width placing cyclists in a vulnerable position

    Wider context from the report

    “5) The narrow aspect of LAVENDER HILL immediately past the said junction places cyclists a vulnerable position when they arrive in LAVENDER HILL from the said junction. ”

    Source location

    Lucia CICCIOLI · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 3 · concerns

    Open source report

  4. Portsmouth and South East Hampshire

    AI-generated summary

    Timothy Kevin ATKINS · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Timothy Kevin ATKINS died on 2 June 2017 after a collision with another cyclist caused him to fall into the carriageway and sustain severe, unsurvivable head injuries. The collision occurred at a narrow, poorly visible pinch-point on a shared cycle/pedestrian pavement, and concern was raised about the lack of a safety barrier and the need to consider improving cyclist and pedestrian safety.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Hazardous narrow, poorly visible shared cycle/pedestrian pavement corner without a safety barrier

    Wider context from the report

    “The corner of the shared cycle/pedestrian pavement where the cyclists collided is a narrow pinch-point with poor visibility and no safety barrier. ”

    Source location

    Timothy Kevin ATKINS · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Improve the Eastern Road cycle path by widening and straightening it, then realigning the kerb, central reservation and crossing point at Burfields Road.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In March 2017 work started on a project to improve transport routes on Portsmouth's Eastern Corridor. This consists of various individual schemes including one to widen and straighten the Eastern Road cycle path across the Burfields Road junction, which will improve safety and visibility.”

    Source location

    2017-0265-Response-by-Portsmouth-City-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 18 December 2017

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Obtain agreement from the adjacent caravan park operators to cut back the hedge alongside the cycle path.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Ahead of this work, agreement was obtained in September 2017, from the operators of the adjacent caravan park to cut back their hedge which runs along the length of the cycle path.”

    Source location

    2017-0265-Response-by-Portsmouth-City-Council
    Page 1 · response
    Published 18 December 2017

    Open published response

  5. Inner North London

    AI-generated summary

    Francis Nelson GOLDING · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Francis Nelson Golding, aged 59, died after the pedal cycle he was riding collided with a left-turning coach at the junction of Vernon Place and Southampton Row in London. The inquest heard that three cyclists had died at the junction in the previous ten years in collisions with left-turning vehicles, and raised concerns that the junction left cyclists particularly vulnerable, including because of the oncoming bus lane. Early consideration of improvements to the junction was requested.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Insufficient space for cycles in the oncoming bus lane

    Wider context from the report

    “During the course of the inquest, I heard evidence of three fatalities at this junction in the last ten years, each involving a cyclist colliding with a left turning vehicle. Whilst of course every road user has a responsibility to take care at junctions, it does seem that this junction leaves cyclists particularly vulnerable. There is also, I heard, an issue with the oncoming bus lane not leaving any additional space for cycles. ”

    Source location

    Francis Nelson GOLDING · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Permit cyclists to use the Bloomsbury Way contra-flow bus lane with bollards, signing and a clear box junction under an experimental order.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Where it is possible for Camden to implement changes we do so. One of the most recent examples, which is also referred to in the report, is allowing cyclists to use the contra-flow bus lane on Bloomsbury Way. When the bus priority scheme was first implemented, in 2009, cyclists were not permitted to use the contra-flow bus lane as, due to lack of road space and issues with junction capacity, the bus lane could not be widened to safely accommodate cyclists passing buses. This resulted in cyclists travelling west having to use the Holborn gyratory via Drake Street, Proctor Street and High Holborn to re-join the corridor at New Oxford Street, which has been raised as a concern by cyclists.”

    Source location

    2014-0136-Response-by-Camden-Council
    Page 4 · response
    Published 14 April 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Commission traffic consultants to model signals across the Holborn area scheme, including Vernon Place and Southampton Row, and assess options for improving cyclist facilities.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A brief will be issued to traffic consultants by the end of May 2014 to invite tenders for the next stage of development. Consultants will be commissioned to undertake traffic signal modelling for the whole Holborn area based scheme area, which includes the Southampton Row/Vernon Place junction. Under the current programme it is anticipated that consultants will be appointed in mid June 2014. A range of options will be considered as part of this commission which will explore possibilities to significantly improve facilities for cyclists. This stage of the process is expected to take 9 months.”

    Source location

    2014-0136-Response-by-Camden-Council
    Page 5 · response
    Published 14 April 2014

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implementation of major junction changes cannot occur immediately because it depends on consultation, funding and coordination with other projects.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “A brief will be issued to traffic consultants by the end of May 2014 to invite tenders for the next stage of development. Consultants will be commissioned to undertake traffic signal modelling for the whole Holborn area based scheme area, which includes the Southampton Row/Vernon Place junction. Under the current programme it is anticipated that consultants will be appointed in mid June 2014. A range of options will be considered as part of this commission which will explore possibilities to significantly improve facilities for cyclists. This stage of the process is expected to take 9 months.”

    Source location

    2014-0136-Response-by-Camden-Council
    Page 5 · response
    Published 14 April 2014

    Open published response

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026