Cycling campaigners are calling on the council to improve road signs, after a cyclist was hit by a lorry in a busy road.

The accident, in Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, on July 16 resulted in the front wheel of the bike getting trapped under a HGV.

Fortunately the cyclist escaped with minor injuries.

Campaigners claim cycle path logos marked in the road, are too close to the kerb causing cyclists to drive close to parked cars.

This can lead to cyclists being knocked off their bikes, or 'doored', when people open their car doors.

Cyclists who do head to the middle of the road are more likely to get into conflict with drivers, who believe they should be cycling where the logos are located.

Dr Susie Morrow, a cyclist from Earlsfield, said: "If somebody opens the door the cyclist is going to get injured or worse. The position for that logo should be right in the middle of the running lane.

"They are getting mixed messages from the logo.

"Wandsworth Council should be really thinking hard how they can make the roads as safe as possible for people using bikes and to reduce conflict."

Dr Morrow, a member of the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign, said introducing a 20mph limit would also reduce accidents in the area.

A council spokesman said: "Pedestrian and cycling conditions in Earlsfield have been much improved recently and we are currently reviewing the new road markings to identify further changes we could make. We welcome all feedback from road users as part of this process.

"Longer term our ambition is to create an alternative cycling route roughly parallel to Garratt Lane so bikes can avoid this busy stretch of road altogether."

Research from the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Transport Safety found 595 cyclists were knocked off their bikes trying to swerve around a car door in 2011, up from about 400 in 2009.

 

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