Dozens of protesters held a ‘die in’ outside of London’s City Hall last night to campaign for safer roads after an Italian prince was killed while cycling last week.
Student Filippo Corsini died after reportedly being dragged under the wheels of a HGV outside of Harvey Nichols. The 21-year-old was cycling to a lecture at the private Regent’s University London when the incident occurred.
The emotional vigil was was held outside of the Mayor of London’s office to urge Sadiq Khan to improve road conditions for cyclists.
Corsini was the eighth cyclist to have died on the capital’s roads this year.
The protest, which was organised by campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists, heard speeches from Deputy Mayor of London for Transport Valerie Shawcross and Caroline Russell, the Green Party spokesperson for transport.
An eight-year-old girl also read out the names of the people who had died on London’s roads in 2016.
In response to the vigil, a spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said he was dedicated to becoming the most “pro-cycling Mayor yet”, with plans to completely ban the most dangerous HGVs from London’s roads by 2020.
“Our ground-breaking direct vision standard is a much bolder proposal than anything previously planned, and we are working closely with developers and councils to encourage faster adoption,” the spokesperson said.
“We will also soon be publishing a business plan that will set out the Mayor’s commitment to increase spending on cycling and will appoint a Walking and Cycling Commissioner to play an integral role in ensuring cycling is made easier and safer for all.”