The family of a teacher who was hit by a truck as she rode to university will launch a “revolutionary” masterplan to make cycling safer in the city.
Newly qualified teacher Jo Walters, 28, of Westbourne Street, Hove, died after a moment’s indecision on the A270 cycle route between Brighton and the Falmer university campuses.
She lost control of her cycle and wobbled into the road in front of an oncoming truck as she tried to avoid another rider on July 13, 2010.
Her family have since set up a trust in her name – The Jo Walters Trust – and commissioned the report to try to improve safety on that stretch of the path.
Consultant engineer Peter Mynors, editor of London Cycling Design Standards, has recommended the path should be widened to prevent similar accidents in the future. He said cycling provision in Brighton and Hove is similar to other UK cities but is “woefully short” compared to European counterparts.
The route linking the city centre to the Falmer university campuses is 2.4 metres wide whereas current guidelines recommend shared cycle tracks should be at least three metres wide.
London Cycling Design Standards recommend up 4.5 metres wide – almost double the width.
The path is shared by pedestrians and cyclists and Mr Mynors said the lack of space can lead to dangerous “split second” manoeuvres.
He said: “(Jo) had a split second decision and it was the wrong one.
“She went into the carriageway and a truck was coming towards her.
“The driver had done everything conceivably possible to not hit her. But she did get hit and died."
He added: "If the path had been wide enough for two cyclists to pass then there would not have been a decision to make.”
Mr Mynors said more money needs to be spent nationally on cycling provision to bring it up to European standards.
The council said it has worked “very closely” with Mr Mynors and the trust through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund project that focuses on the Lewes Road corridor and is taking on board some of the recommendations.
The council will consult on proposals for Lewes Road in April and the masterplan will form part of the consultation proposals.
The council added the section of path where Miss Walters died is the responsibility of the Highways Agency.
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