Doreen Barker's moving letter (Oxford Mail, May 16) marks the eighth anniversary of the death of her daughter at the approach to Botley Road railway bridge.

Rachel Barker was killed by an HGV turning left at Roger Dudman Way. She was an experienced cyclist who never took risks. She was near the end of the cycle lane when the truck, which had overtaken her moments before, suddenly turned left across her path.

Mrs Barker rightly points out the contradiction of my recommendation to avoid the inside of HGVs at all costs because that's where the cycle lanes always are - between the kerb and the main carriageway.

It really got me thinking about the safety of cycle lanes. Cyclists feel, quite naturally, that a cycle lane is their territory and that they are safe in it.

Cyclox has debated alternatives to kerbside cycle lanes, and in particular the idea of cycle lanes down the middle of the road.

In my last On Yer Bike, I recommended cycling down the dotted white median lines in roads that are blocked with traffic, instead of hugging the kerb (cycle lane or not).

But this tactic, as my wife insists, is only for the most assertive cyclists. Getting to and from the middle of the road may pose dangers for some.

For less experienced cyclists, hybrid' lanes that you find in northern Europe are best, like those we have on Donnington Bridge in Oxford, but not as ugly.

But these only work where there is sufficient road width, a luxury that urban Oxfordshire too often lacks.

Of course, the only real solution is to make the roads themselves, all of them, safe for cyclists.

The Oxford Mail's editorial said: "Cyclists are vulnerable in Oxford's narrow streets, particularly where cycle lanes suddenly end. Moves to alert other road users to the dangers, by erecting 'Think bike' signs, appear to have stalled. Let's hope Doreen Barker's touching letter on this page today will reawaken the campaign." It has.

Years ago, the council painted the cycle lane red, wrote 'SLOW' on the downhill section approaching Roger Dudman Way and installed a rumble strip.

This helps a bit, but what would really help is a "keep clear" area on the road to give cyclists better visibility.

On the way into town, bikes in the cycle lane pass stationary traffic. They have no view of vehicles coming out of town and cutting across the standing traffic into Roger Dudman Way.

A 'Keep clear' would also stop lorries turning left from a standing start.

And at accident blackspots such as Roger Dudman Way, we need signs that warn cyclists and especially drivers to take extra care.

The council has in the past refused to sign the danger here, despite examples of successful bicycle warning signs from around the country - and large signs around Oxfordshire's A-roads warning of dangerous stretches.

It's time to go back to the table and discuss signs that will work.