Is Camden safe for cyclists?

Wandering around Camden at any time of day you'll see a lot of cyclists coming up the high road. Some have helmets, others not, and some are on high speed bikes whilst others trundle along o0n Boris's blue Barclays creations. One thing they all have in common is the traffic- and the wrath of the car drivers and pedestrians who get in their way. This is annoying, no doubt about it- but is it actually dangerous?

 

Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group said, "The harsh fact is that 14 cyclists have already died on London's roads this year compared to 10 last year.  These figures speak for themselves about the need for urgent action."

Camden High Street may not have had any deaths, but the junction of Kings Cross and York Way-just up the road- has seen a number of fatalities and is considered highly dangerous,

 

"The roll-out of trixi safety mirrors at every major junction and a complete review of London's most dangerous junctions are desperately needed," Caroline continues.

I polled a few cyclists on Camden High Street about how they felt.

'I don't feel that people pay much attention to me,' said Matt 25. 'I used to just cycle wherever but have had a few near misses and now wear a high viz jacket'.

'I feel scared cycling', said Louise, 18. 'I almost got hit and stopped for a while, but it's so easy and cheap to cycle I don't want to stop'.

What do they think the answer is?

'Make the roads traffic free and just for bikes and people', said Tom, 16. 

That sounds ideal, but is unlikely to happen- till that day everyone needs to be more aware on the roads- on a bike or off it.