A Polish MP was killed in a head-on collision with a motorist while riding his bike on Thursday – on a road where plans to build a cycle path are currently being considered – sparking calls from cyclists to improve the country’s cycling infrastructure.

Łukasz Litewka, a member of the Polish parliament for the New Left party since 2023, was cycling on Kazimierzowska Street near Dąbrowa Górnicza, southern Poland, at around 1.20pm on Thursday when he was struck head-on by a motorist who had veered across into the opposite lane.

According to local police, the 36-year-old was hit by the driver of a Mitsubishi Colt, sending both men into a roadside ditch. The Air Ambulance Service swiftly arrived and a prolonged resuscitation attempt took place, but Litewka was pronounced dead at the scene.

Local reports, stemming from police and statements issued by politicians, have suggested that the 57-year-old motorist either fell asleep or fainted at the wheel, causing him to stray into the opposite lane and towards oncoming traffic. However, the District Prosecutor’s Office in nearby Sosnowiec has warned against such speculation, emphasising the need for a thorough investigation.

Senior Constable Adam Jachimczak of the Silesian Police added that the driver was arrested and a preliminary breathalyser test showed no signs of alcohol in his system.

“A blood sample was also taken to test for other substances,” Jachimczak said. “Investigations are currently underway at the scene – we are securing and analysing evidence and determining the circumstances of this tragic incident. A prosecutor is on site and overseeing our activities.”

The police told local reporters that the speed limit on the section of road where Litewka was killed is 60kph, and that the force of the impact was “significant”. Officers also noted that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet and was “riding correctly”.

Following the news of the politician’s death, local cyclists have taken to social media to criticise the “very poor” condition of the road, a busy thoroughfare linking Dąbrowa and Sosnowiec.

Just hours before Litewka was killed on Kazimierzowska Street, the left-wing mayor of Dąbrowa Górnicza, Marcin Bazylak, posted that a tender has been announced for the reconstruction of the same road, which will include resurfacing work and new markings.

In response to criticism of the lack of action to make the road safer for cyclists, Bazylak posted on Facebook that he wished to refrain from linking a “human tragedy” to his current road plans.

“We have prepared the reconstruction of this road together with the construction of an independent pedestrian-bicycle path and last year we applied for funding from the Government Road Development Fund,” the mayor wrote.

“The project has qualified for the programme’s reserve list and we have announced a tender to select a contractor without waiting for a funding decision. If the road surface was good, there would not have been a decision about such an expensive investment, which is planned for 2026-2027.

“On this occasion, I have to remind you how many people criticise the city for building bike paths. In the last years we have built 40 km of new bicycle paths and pedestrian-bicycle tracks. This investment is another step in the realisation of the adopted strategy of improving safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, which we are consistently implementing.

“In connection with the above, I urge everyone to be considerate and responsible in formulating their opinions in the face of this tragedy.”

Meanwhile, this morning Silesian police were forced to release another statement, in response to unsubstantiated claims on social media, clarifying that “there are no confirmed findings indicating that the incident was intentional”, following “numerous comments and speculations regarding the circumstances of this incident appearing in public spaces – particularly on social media”.

“Please refrain from publishing and disseminating unverified information that may be misleading and unnecessarily intensify emotions,” the police statement said.

“Intensive efforts are underway to thoroughly clarify all the circumstances of the incident. We also appeal to drivers who passed the scene of the incident at the time and may have dashcam footage. We thank them for their responsible approach and cooperation.”

Tributes have poured in for Litewka from across Poland’s political spectrum. The 36-year-old was the president of the Team Litewka Foundation, which provides assistance to both people and animals in need. The foundation’s open-air festival, held to combat animal homelessness, raised over £400,000.

The foundation also supports fundraising for medical treatment and aid for socially excluded individuals.

“Today, Poland lost a man with a big, open heart and a politician dedicated to fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable,” Litewka’s New Left party posted on Thursday evening, announcing his death.

“Łukasz was the embodiment of goodness. He never passed by indifference to anyone’s suffering, he was always the first to offer help, always attentive to the needs of others, always authentic/

“He passed away in a way that we cannot come to terms with. He died in a tragic accident while riding his bike, after being hit by a car.”

“We will remember him as a man with a big heart, who courageously dedicated himself to helping people and animals,” Polish prime minister Donald Tusk added.