Norfolk: Safety calls after two cyclists killed in 48 hours

Twin tragedies in Norwich and Watton have seen campaigners urge action so cyclists have the “freedom to travel how we choose without fear of injury or death”.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene of a collision involving a grey Peugeot 3008 on Brandon Road, Watton, at 5.30am on Wednesday.

A cyclist died following a collision with a VW Golf on Farrow Road in Norwich (Image: Google)

It follows the death of a cyclist in his 30s on Norwich outer ring road at Earlham on Monday after his bike collided with a white VW Golf.

The drivers in both incidents, both men aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

The deaths come almost exactly a year since changes to the Highway Code gave cyclists priority over drivers at junctions and increased the minimum distance for overtaking motorists.

Norfolk’s roads have seen 15 cyclists killed in the last 10 years with almost 500 seriously injured. 

A male cyclist died at the scene following a crash involving a Peugeot 3008 on Brandon Road, Watton (Image: Google)

Campaign groups have made renewed calls for extra measures to protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users. 

“Death and injury on our roads is not inevitable and these tragic incidents remind us that we have a long way to go until our roads are safe and welcoming to all users,” said Liam Calvert, of Living Streets Norwich.

“There have been hundreds of collisions resulting in serious injury and death in and around Norwich in the last five years involving those on foot or bike.

 Liam Calvert of Living Streets Norwich has called for improved crossings and junctions and better enforced lower speed limits where people live and work (Image: Liam Calvert)

“Every one of them has a human impact well beyond the victims themselves. Nobody should die as the result of simple human error.”

He called on councils to improve crossings and junctions and lower speed limits where people live and work and for police to vigorously enforce driving standards particularly where there are 20mph speed limits.

"It's terrible news and our thoughts are very much with the families," said Derek Williams, of Norwich Cycling Campaign.

“The changes to Highway Code were well intentioned but I don't think anybody knows about it. 

Changes to road rules means drivers have to give priority to cyclists and pedestrians. (Image: Highway Code)

“I think it has altered drivers behaviour a bit but the trouble is every car is driven by an individual person and the vast majority of motorists are careful and considerate but it really only takes one that is distracted or who is not very good and you can have a very dangerous situation.”

Matt White, founder of Car Free Norwich, said: "We should all have the freedom to travel how we choose without fear of injury or death.

"Yet too often this freedom is threatened by a lack of safe cycling infrastructure and poor driver behaviour.”

Campaigners have called for better infrastructure and enforcement to make roads safer for cyclists (Image: Denise Bradley)

He urged Norfolk County Council to sign up to Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate deaths on our roads through the use of speed limits, infrastructure upgrades, and behaviour change.

"There also needs to be more serious consequences - including lifetime driving bans - for those who cause death or serious injury by dangerous driving," he added.

Green party county councillor Jamie Osborn said: “This is tragic news. The council needs to be making sure pedestrians and cyclists are safer so there are no more deaths.

“We should be following the example of European cities and aiming for zero road deaths next year.I want to see what is being planned to ensure that is achieved."