Hilda Griffiths died in a collision in June 2022 [Gerald Griffiths]

THE son of an elderly woman who was killed following a collision with a cyclist has called for a more effective crackdown on rule-breaking riders.

Gerald Griffiths was speaking four years after the death of his 81-year-old mother on the Outer Circle, Regent’s Park.

Brian Fitzgerald, a director at Credit Suisse, crashed into Hilda Griffiths in June 2022 while doing laps with his Muswell Hill Peloton cycling club.

Mr Griffiths, speaking at a Westminster Council meeting on Wednesday night, suggested looking at a system in the Netherlands where a trial of 12mph limit for cyclists has begun.

Mr Griffiths said: “I am raising the issue of dangerous and speeding cyclists. While encouraged for health and environment reasons, the increase in users ignoring red lights, riding on pavements, and speeding, makes it difficult for pedestrians to navigate safely, particularly the vulnerable.

“Introducing speed limits for cyclists would act as a deterrent. Although national limits do not apply, councils can set limits for all bicycles.

“This is personal for me. My 81-year-old mother was killed by a cyclist travelling at 29mph.

“The cyclist said he had zero reaction time. Lead the way on cycling speeding limits.”

Last year the Royal Parks charity issued a new code of conduct as part of a cycle safety campaign which issued, as guidance, a 20mph limit on cyclists using the parks, in line with limits for cars. They also urged cyclists to delete the 4km raceway around the park, the Outer Circle, as a route from their Strava app.

The fastest ever public completion of the “Regent’s Park CCW segment”, which is 4.4km long, was 4:49 in September last year, which means it was done at a speed of 54.8km/h or 34mph.

Hilda Griffiths’s death also contributed to a new dangerous cycling policy that was introduced as part of the government’s Crime and Policing Bill.

She died at the Hanover Terrace junction but the cyclist was not prosecuted.

In response to Mr Griffiths’s question, Conservative Cllr Tim Mitchell, cabinet member for city management, said: “I absolutely agree that cyclists speeding, riding on the pavement, and ignoring red lights, pose a real danger to pedestrians and other road users.

“Unfortunately there is no national legislation governing speed limits for bicycles or e-bikes on the public highway.”

Failing to stop at a red light is a criminal offence and the police are able to take action. Councils cannot enforce red-light offences by cyclists or e-bike riders.