Hundreds of cyclists block a road with 'die in' to call for safety and attitude changes
Around 200 cyclists tonight blocked a main road in Exeter - for a few minutes - to call for changes following the death of a 53 year old woman in the city earlier this month.
Last updated 19th Aug 2021
The family and best friend of Maria Perez-Gonzalez praised all those who lay down in the road to highlight what happened on Western Way, at the junction with Barnfield Road, on August 7.
Tonight police confirmed inquiries continue as officers investigate what they now deem 'dangerous driving'.
The so called 'die in' aimed to raise awareness about cycling safety in the city and county - but neither Devon County Council or Exeter City Council responded to a Greatest Hits Radio request for comment.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 8.35pm on Saturday 7 August after a collision with a black BMW car and the female cyclist, who died a few days later in hospital.
Afterwards a 21-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink/drugs and later released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Mike Walton, from the Exeter Cycling Campaign, which was behind tonight's vigil, said the short ‘die in’ aimed to 'underline how vulnerable our roads can be for people walking and cycling'.
He added: "The aim is to show our sadness at this unnecessary loss, to challenge the normalisation of the death and injury we see on our roads and to repeat our simple calls that driver lawlessness and inattention must stop, that all journeys for people cycling should be safe and that active travel must be adequately funded."
For more about the Exeter Cycling Campaign click here