A lorry driver accused of causing the fatal crash in which cyclist Ellen Moilanen lost her life will stand trial in November.
James Lindsay, 46, is accused of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
It follows a crash between his Mercedes HGV and Mrs Moilanen’s Ridgeback bicycle on the Oxford Road, Kidlington, near Oxford Parkway railway station on February 8 last year.
Appearing before Oxford Crown Court on Thursday morning (January 12), Lindsay was not asked to enter pleas to the single charge.
His barrister, Ian Bridge, asked Judge Maria Lamb to set the case down for trial.
That trial, which is expected to last between four and five days, is due to start on November 13.
READ MORE: Live updates from plea hearing of 'Parkway station fatal crash' accused
Daren Samat, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the Crown's case was that Lindsay's lorry entered the bus lane towards the station 30 metres before it should have done.
He said: "If he were looking elsewhere he may have only had about a second to view the deceased coming along. The Crown's case is plainly had he been driving properly he wouldn't have been in that bus lane."
Judge Lamb granted Lindsay, of Rackheath, Norfolk, unconditional bail.
A mention hearing, at which it is expected the prosecution and defence barristers will appear via video link, will take place on March 10.
Bailing him to return to court for the trial, the judge said: "November 13 will be the trial date. It is important that you bear that in mind.
“You have a hearing on March 10 but you will not be required to attend.”
Prior to the conclusion of the short plea and trial preparation hearing, Mr Bridge told the court: "Mr Lindsay is absolutely heartbroken about what has happened and expresses his condolences again to the family who are in attendance.”
READ MORE: Crane driver tells inquest he 'didn't see' cyclist
Members of Mrs Moilanen’s family were sitting with police officers in the public gallery in courtroom three.
Mrs Moilanen was one of three female cyclists killed in fatal crashes in Oxford within six months.
Dr Ling Felce , 35, was struck by a lorry on The Plain roundabout on March 1 last year, while Oxford Brookes employee Jennifer Wong, 32, died after being knocked from her bicycle by an HGV-mounted crane at the junction of London Road and Headley Way in Headington on September 26, 2021.
This week, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service – run by the county council – said it would be running free cycle safety sessions.
The two-hours sessions will run from Seacourt Park and Ride, Botley Road, on January 24 and on March 1 from the John Radcliffe Hospital.
The fire service’s Andy Ford said: "Cycling is a great way to exercise and an environmentally friendly form of transport.
"However, it's important that anyone using their bike is familiar with the Highway Code and the safety critical dos and don'ts, particularly on busy main roads and at junctions."
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward
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