Cyclist killed on Oxfordshire road where campaigners have battled for years to have a safe cycle path (+ video)

A cyclist has died from injuries sustained in a collision involving a van on a road near Oxford where campaigners have fought for years to have safe cycling infrastructure installed, so far without success, with Oxfordshire County Council's cycling champion saying on Twitter: "For so long we feared the worst would happen on the B4044 - and now it has."

The fatal crash happened just after 6.30pm on Monday 28 October on  Oxford Road in Farmoor, with the victim a 58-year-old man living locally.

He was treated at the scene before being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he subsequently died as a result of a serious head injury.

Following the crash on Monday, Thames Valley Police arrested a 42-year-old man from Stonesfield at the scene on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He was subsequently released under investigation.

Investigating officer Sergeant Beth Walton of the Joint Operations Unit for Roads Policing, based at Bicester, said: “Tragically, the cyclist in this collision suffered fatal injuries.

“The collision occurred in the early evening, and I believe there would have been lots of vehicles in the area.

“I am appealing to anybody who saw the vehicle or pedal cyclist involved prior to the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of the incident to please check this and make contact with police.

“You can call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 43190336357 or make a report online.

“Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“Our thoughts remain with the family of the man who has died at this very difficult time.”

For a number of years campaign group Bike Safe has been calling for a safe cycle route to be put in place on the B4044 from Eynsham to Oxford, and in 2011 produced a video highlighting the dangers faced on the road.

In the video, which also puts the case for an off-road shared use path to be built on the existing grass verge, one local asks, “Does somebody have to die before they do that?”

Oxfordshire County Council has repeatedly said there is no money available for the infrastructure although today it’s own cycling champion, Dr Suzanne Bartington, took to Twitter on Friday, saying “For so long we feared the worst would happen on the B4044 – and now it has.”

For so long we feared the worst would happen on the #B4044 - and now it has.

My heart goes out to friends and family. Thinking of you. #StopKillingCyclists

Cyclist dies after a crash with van https://t.co/uj8fF21sxw

— Dr Bartington (@cllrbartington) November 1, 2019

Last week, Councillor Bartington also highlighted the lack of cycle provision in the £102 million project to turn the A40 between Eynsham and Witney into a dual carriageway.

Oh my. And there isnt even a safe #activetravel route to the nearest #station which has a #singlettrack railway line when you get there. #ClimateCrisis
https://t.co/2eyt3XHjyb

— Dr Bartington (@cllrbartington) November 1, 2019