Reducing traffic levels is the key to safer cycling in Oxford, a Green party councillor has said.

Councillor Emily Kerr who represents the St Mary’s ward on Oxford City Council was alarmed after seeing a photo of a bicycle crushed under a bus on March 2.

She tweeted: “This picture made me cry.

READ MORE: Cyclist who collided with double decker bus left with serious leg injuries

Referring to Oxfordshire County Council's Vision Zero - its ambition to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by 2050, the Green party councillor added: "We urgently need everyone to act on vision zero.”

 

The collision happened in Headington on Titup Hall Drive during the morning rush hour.

The 52-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital and treated for serious leg injuries.

She was later discharged.

Councillor Kerr said: “In order to make cycling in Oxford safer, the main thing we need to do is reduce car numbers in the city as the traffic filters were supposed to.

“A number of studies have shown that there is a linear relationship between reducing traffic levels and lessening the danger to cyclists and pedestrians.

“75 per cent of people in Oxfordshire say that they don’t cycle more because there is too much traffic.”

The area in which the accident took place is known locally as a dangerous spot during rush hour times.

READ MORE: Woman involved in crash found dead two days later

It is located near to a school and there are challenges with road users parking on double yellow lines.

Councillor Kerr explained that another way to make the roads in Oxford safer for cyclists is to ensure that all bus drivers receive specialist training.

She said: “I think our bus drivers are some of the best drivers in the country but I would say that you can tell the difference between the drivers that are experienced at driving in Oxford and those that aren’t.

“I think it is vital that all drivers of heavy vehicles undergo training, specifically cycle training, which I know that some of the buses do.

Oxford Mail:

“There are one million people in Oxfordshire and only a few hundred bus drivers.

“It’s much easier to ensure that the bus drivers know how to deal with cyclists than the other way around.”

Councillor Kerr wants people not to be put off cycling in Oxford but rather appreciate the benefits.

Census data published in 2023 shows that the number of people cycling and walking to work in Oxford has changed.

21 per cent of people in the city walk to work and another 18 per cent cycle.

She said: “There are so many benefits to cycling.

“Firstly, its really fun to cycle around and it is good for your health.

“Cycling is also one of the best ways to reduce emissions and improve air quality.”