New cycle lanes open following cyclist death
Posted: October 8, 2013
Posted in: Bicycle Accidents Road Traffic Accidents Wrongful & Accidental Death 
After Jo Walters died in a cycling accident in 2010, her sister encouraged the opening of new bus and cycle lanes in Brighton to prevent further accidents. 28-year-old Jo Walters died after having to swerve on the A270 (Lewes Road) in order to avoid another cyclist. Since the accident, her sister and family commissioned a report that revealed how dangerously narrow the cycle lane was on which Ms Walters lost his life.
Ms Walters, a newly qualified maths teacher, lost her life when cycling towards the Sussex University’s Falmer campus when she had to swerve to avoid another cyclist, causing her to be struck by a lorry. Brighton and Hove City Council have admitted that since last year, there have been another 146 collisions at that same spot, with 50 involving cyclists.
Funded by a government grant
The opening of the new cycle lanes between the Amex stadium and the Vogue gyratory was marked by a celebration at the Wild Park in Moulsecoomb that saw a great turnout. The improvements were funded by a £4m government grant.
“It is awful speculating whether it might have made a difference to Jo, but I imagine it might have done … What I really hope is that it will stop anything like that ever happening again.”
The family of Jo Walters have set up the Jo Walters Trust in memory of her, with the hope to raise money towards further improving cycle lanes.
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