Paula Jurek's death sparks bike safety pleas

Published: 15th April, 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

CAMPAIGNERS in Islington are calling for lorry drivers to undergo cyclist awareness training as friends mourn the death of 20-year-old Holloway student Paula Jurek.

The travel and tourism student at London Metropolitan University, in Holloway Road, died after a collision with a lorry in Camden Road at the junction of St Pancras Way last Tuesday. 

It is thought Ms Jurek was caught on the inside of the truck, which was turning left. 

Ambulance crews battled in vain to resuscitate Ms Jurek, who had been learning French and was planning a trip to Paris over Easter. She died of multiple injuries.

The collision occurred just days after the Islington Cyclists Action Group (ICAG) collected nearly 800 signatures at the notorious “Goswell Road Triangle” in support of the “no more lethal lorries” campaign.

Launched by the London Cycling Campaign, the petition calls for lorry drivers to undergo training to reduce the risk to cyclists and demands they take more responsibility for road safety.

Chris Ashby, of ICAG, said it was equally important for cyclists to have safety training, particularly women who are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions with lorries.

He said: “I think the recognised view is that women tend to be less aggressive than men. They don’t always adopt primary position on the road, and if you are heading towards busy traffic it is important to take the whole lane.”

• Trainee architect Rebecca Goossen, 29, died in a crash with a cement mixer at the junction of Old Street and Goswell Road as she cycled to work in April 2009.
• Community activist Lisa Pontecorvo, 64, was crushed to death as she wheeled her cycle in front of a cement mixer in Holloway Road in September 2008.
• And in December 2006, cyclist Emma Foa, 56, died after colliding with a left-turning lorry in Camley Street, King’s Cross.

Ms Jurek’s family was too upset to speak about her death this week, but close friend Paul Dean, 31, paid tribute to a “kind and open” person who loved travelling and different cultures.

He has written to London Mayor Boris Johnson demanding action on road safety. He said: “Unless changes are made we are going to be faced with the same situation again very soon. Everyone who knew Paula has reacted with shock and disbelief at what happened. Everyone who met her liked her because she was genuinely interested in other people.  

“She was enormously kind and a good listener.”

Mr Dean, who also cycles in London, said his dream would be for a London-wide cycle network, but his expectations are more realistic. In his letter to Mr Johnson, he calls for more “trixie” safety mirrors at junctions – which help lorry drivers to see in their blind spot. He also demands to know why cycle lanes exist at only “a relative handful” of crossroads.

“Let’s not forget that one of Boris’s main pledges was that he was a keen cyclist,” he added.

“If you think of a cycle city like Amsterdam they have their own lanes and are very separate from other traffic. It is great to get more people cycling but you have to have both sides of the coin. If you are going to encourage people to cycle they have to feel safe. This issue has fallen by the wayside, it is his chance to make a difference, this could be his legacy.” 

Friends of Ms Jurek met at the spot where she died on Tuesday to share their memories of her. 

Floral bouquets have been left over the last week.

An inquest was opened and adjourned at St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Tuesday.

A Transport for London spokesman said: “We will be reviewing what safety measures are currently in place along Camden Road to see whether any further improvements could be made.”

A 65-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and bailed pending inquiries. 

Police are appealing for witnesses. 

Anyone with any information is urged to call the Road Death Investigation Unit on 020 8998 9319.