Cyclist killed in A50 crash
A CYCLIST has been killed after a collision involving a long goods vehicle on the A50 near Hatton last night (Thursday).
The collision involved a Mercedes LGV and a pedal cyclist and the cyclist was confirmed dead at the scene.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the witness appeal line on 01773 572 929 or the collision investigation unit on 01773 571 675. The officer in the case is PC636 Parkin.
This cyclist would be alive today had he been cycling on the Sustrans Dove Valley Route (NCN R549) which runs parallel to the A50 on quiet lanes and cycle paths. Perhaps he did not know of it's existence, although we have signed it well, but only on the route itself. Or perhaps he knew of it, but chose to ride on the main road instead.
In a similar incident last year, a mature and very experienced cyclist was killed on the A38 slip road at Stretton. He also would be alive today had he been cycling on the nearby NCN Route, in that case Route54, which then was subject to a diversion via Stretton, but now has a dedicated off-road path alongside the T&M Canal.
We will be taking these points up with the Accident Investigation Team and the local MP, who has said "Something must be done".
Further News Sunday 9.30am
We understand from the Police that the cyclist was in fact taking part in a TimeTrial, so my refererence to R549 is somewhat irrelevent now. However, we should be encouraging cyclists to ride away from fast and busy roads whenever possible.
