Tributes paid to Canning Town father Brian Florey latest cyclist killed on London's roads

Major report calls on Mayor to double amount spent on protecting cyclists

Tributes were today paid to a “doting father” killed on his bike as a report called for the Mayor to double the money he spends protecting cyclists.

Brian Florey, 35, died on Monday in a collision with a lorry on the westbound A13 Ripple Road in Barking. He was the 13th cyclist to die on the streets of the capital this year.

The report by the London Assembly’s transport committee urges Boris

Johnson to double his £73 million-a-year spending on cycling and to focus on “protected space for cyclists”.

Mr Florey, from Canning Town, is the fourth cyclist killed this year in collisions with lorries. He leaves partner Julie and daughters Holli and Lauren.

A tribute at the crash scene read: “You are my heart I love you so much, why did it happen to you my perfect man. All my love always Julie.”

Mr Florey, a member of the East Ham Royal British Legion, was an engineering contractor working for the firm that maintains London fire engines

A passionate cyclist, he was riding a £2,000 bike he had built when he died.

His best friend Barry Marsh said: “He was a doting father and lived for his family. He was a bubbly guy but above all a perfect gentleman.

"Everybody liked him and he was a genuine, straightforward nice man and a great friend. He was a good cyclist who rode for a club, he knew what he was doing and had all the gear and was as fit as a fiddle.”

Mr Marsh, 40, added: “We worked together for the fire brigade and were on the same shift. He was very popular. We are all devastated by the loss.”

A Met police spokesman said the 57-year-old driver of the lorry was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving before being bailed.

The Assembly report reveals the risk to cyclists has been increasing since 2007, while only £3 million of the Mayor’s cycle budget over the last two years has been spent on outer London.

It says that Transport for London’s money “has not been spent on the type of cycling facilities that maximise safety for vulnerable road users”.

Half of the budget is going on Boris bikes and a quarter, £62 million, on the “cycle superhighways” — the unprotected blue lanes on main roads.

A spokesman for the Mayor said the casualty figures highlighted by the Assembly were “an area of concern” and work was under way to review 500 of the most dangerous junctions.

Anybody with information about the accident involving Mr Florey is asked to call police on 020 8597 4874 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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