Safety measures made at two paths in Norwich after cyclist’s death

Safety measures have been implemented at two footpaths in Norwich following the death of a cyclist in May this year when he crashed down a flight of stairs.

Warren Dowling, aged 32, died from head injuries sustained in the incident which happened shortly after midnight on 28 May while cycling home on The Loke.

Earlier this month, a coroner’s inquest heard that the path was poorly lit and overgrown, and that Mr Dowling would not have been able to see the steps as he rode towards them.

The inquest was told that staggered barriers had since been erected at that location to prevent a similar incident in future.

Coroner Yvonne Blake, who recorded a narrative verdict, told Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council to assess safety at similar locations elsewhere in the city.

BBC News reports that four locations were inspected in “dark conditions” between 4.30pm and 5.45pm on 13 December to "assess the level of cyclist/pedestrian risk."

The review found that a path from Burges Road to Mile Cross Road was well-lit but foliage could hinder visibility in the summer, and needed to be monitored.

The installation of two bollards at the location to stop cyclists from arriving at the steps “at speed” was recommended.

A staggered barrier was found to deter people from cycling along a path running from Heathgate to Mousehold Street, though the review added that foliage needed to be cut back "to improve illumination of the steps.”

The other two locations reviewed were paths running from Soleme Road to Drayton Road, and from Burges Road to  Drayton Road.

They were both assessed to be well-lit and to have adequate measures to discourage people from cycling too quickly.

At the inquest at Norwich Coroner’s Court earlier this month, Ms Blake said that while local authorities could not be expected to "babysit everyone on a bike or urge them to slow down and wear a helmet", it was "not within the bounds of possibility that this could happen again."

Referring to the barriers installed at the Loke following his son’s death, Patrick Dowling said: "My son would be alive today if proper measures had been put in place to identify the steps, like the staggered barriers that are there now," which were installed after Mr Dowling’s death.