A Sheffield cyclist has said dangerous incidents with drivers on the road are ‘routine’ after posting several near-miss videos.
Twitter user @Llamasteve has called for more segregated bike infrastructure on which cyclists can complete their whole journey, as well as greater traffic speed controls.
He added: “Something like this will happen pretty much every time I cycle in or out of the city centre or anywhere for that matter.
“When you go out, there’s always something in the back of your mind of will this be the day? You shouldn’t think that when you set off in the morning. I don’t think that when I set off in the car.”
The safety of cycling in Sheffield has been an important topic of discussion following the crash of broadcaster Dan Walker.
Mr Walker was cycling around the roundabout at the junction of Moore Street and St Mary’s Gate on 24 February, and said he was ‘glad to be alive’ after colliding with a car.
Two of the main arguments arising on social media after the incident concerned who was at fault for the incident, and whether Mr Walker’s helmet saved his life.
Some users also questioned why Mr Walker didn’t use the underpass below the roundabout, but others said it was often very busy with pedestrians and debris makes it unsafe at times.
South Yorkshire’s Cycling Action Plan, from 2015, aimed to increase the share of cycling to 10% of all journeys by 2025, and to 25% by 2050.
But questions still remain about the viability of this target when accidents are happening frequently across the city.
Triple Olympic Champion, Ed Clancy OBE, 37, was appointed South Yorkshire’s active travel commissioner by Mayor Oliver Coppard in February 2023 and stated he was committed to addressing this issue.
He said: “South Yorkshire has some of the deadliest roads in the country and this stops people choosing to walk or ride the short distances they currently drive, which just adds to the pollution and the danger. If you’re scared to cross the road, you’ll use the car instead.
“I’m committed to using my platform to get more people of all ages to walk, cycle, scoot or skate around South Yorkshire and this means giving people a real, safe choice when it comes to their journeys.”
Cllr Mazher Iqbal also said the council is striving to achieve a transport network that meets Vision Zero by 2050 – meaning no people are seriously injured or killed in road accidents within the next 28 years.
@Llamasteve said he feels the council have good intentions, but he hopes that more can be done practically to support cyclists in the city.
Recent measures taken by the council such as the closing of Archer Road and Little London Road, were extremely controversial, and demonstrate the difficulty in dealing with the issue.
Sheffield City Council were contacted for comment, but have not yet responded.
