Commercial Road. Pic: John Keogh
A man was killed while cycling home from work last night by a suspected joyrider, making him the eleventh cyclist to be killed in a road collision in London this year.
The primary school teacher, Asaad Ahmed, 32, is thought to have been knocked off his bike by a motorist racing another car.
The incident occurred at around 10:00pm yesterday along Commercial Road in Tower Hamlets. The car in question failed to stop at the scene.
The cyclist was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, expressed his condolences to Ahmed’s family on twitter early this morning.
Very sad to hear of a local man’s tragic death. Condolences to and thoughts with his family. RIP. http://t.co/GNhCpvS0i2
— Lutfur Rahman (@MayorLutfur) November 25, 2014
The London Evening Standard reported that the car responsible could be a white VW Golf which was seen racing down Commercial Road just before the crash.
Part of the A13 road was closed for two hours while police examined the scene.
Police believe they have found the car but not the driver. No one has been charged.
This incident comes immediately after Transport for London’s road safety week from 17 – 23 November.
Whilst the number of road casualties fell by 23 per cent in London last year to their lowest ever levels, data gathered by the London Assembly Green Group showed that Tower Hamlets had the highest rate of hit and run crimes in all London boroughs.
LondonCyclist.co.uk has eight useful tips to help cyclists be seen and be safe whilst cycling at night-time.
Metropolitan Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward by calling them on 0208 597 4874.
