A cyclist was knocked down on a treacherous stretch of road in Oxford, just yards from the spot where another rider died earlier this year, writes Alison Bartlett.

The man suffered cuts to his head in the collision with a van at the junction of Botley Road and Abbey Road.

On May 11, Rachel Barker, 30, died in an accident with a lorry at the junction with Cripley Road.

Yesterday's incident at 1pm highlighted cycle safety in Oxford yet again and the Oxford Mail's cycle safety campaign. Witnesses said the van was turning left into Abbey Road and the cyclist struck its rear nearside.

The young man, who has not been named by police, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and discharged after being treated for minor injuries.

Oxford police spokesman Duncan McGraw said: "The cyclist had a lucky escape. His injuries could have been a lot more serious."

The driver of the white Ford Fiesta van was shaken but unhurt. Eyewitness James Sutherland, 32, an Oxford Mail van driver, helped out by re-directing traffic immediately after the accident.

He said: "I was travelling under the railway bridge and just as I got level with Mick's Cafe, I saw the collision.

"The cyclist was on the ground and although he was still conscious, there was blood pouring from his head."

"Paramedics arrived and put a neck brace on the cyclist, who wasn't wearing a helmet." Roads were gridlocked after the accident, with tailbacks stretching the length of Botley Road.

The Oxford Mail launched a campaign after Rachel's death.

Council chiefs immediately swung into action and within a week started painting cycle lanes green to make them more visible.

They also promised a full review of cycle safety along the stretch of Botley Road including a look at putting a new cycle lane under the railway bridge heading into the city.