Two cyclists killed in collision with lorry on A30 in Cornwall believed to riding Land's End - John O'Groats (Updated)

Every time a cyclist is killed, there's a flurry of forum activity and that's it until the next one, and nothing changes.

Comments are generally about making roads safer etc, and sometimes about having the law changed so that drivers can't think they can drive like idiots and put us all at risk.

If anything is to be done about this then organisations like RoadPeace and of course ctc need more funding and support for their campaigns.

If every cycling club and every cyclist in Britain gave just a tiny amount each to support these moves then maybe things will change for us.

There's so much hype about the joys of cycling, so much effort on the part of Skyride, Go-ride anything ride to get us out on our bikes, but the risks involved are never considered.

It's great out there on the bike but in an instant it can become not so great, or just totally devastating, 2 more families and wider families this week, going though unimaginable pain, again.

In 2008 we lost our 25 year old son, a Reading cc rider a wonderful young talented athlete and a beautiful son and brother, .....because, as the papers said he was "in collision with a van" In fact he was driven into from behind by a van driver who was "blinded by the sun" at 60 mph.

This latest Cornwall tragedy was one day before the 5th anniversary of our loss.

I can tell you that no one ever recovers from such a loss and for me, when I know that droves of new riders take to the roads every day, in blissful ignorance of the risks from cars and trucks, it makes me angry, and a little sad, to think that
alongside these new found freedoms, people will die, all because, until it happens to them, no-one cares.

In two weeks these two guys will be forgotten and as always, forums will flow back to the subjects of cranksets, tribars powerbars etc....until it happens again.

Valkyrie said "I hope that their families and friends receive all the support they need"

RoadPeace were amazing for us and gave us loads of support in many ways.

They deserve to be noticed and not just when we need them.

Dave.

Sad loss of lives, such a popular bicycle route should get attention to make it safer. Capital Cycles

@Meaulnes

I've worked in the media for quite some time! To say "Two cyclists in collision with a lorry" immediately indicates that two cyclists collided with a lorry. The emphasis being that the cyclists were the ones who did the colliding.

@richteebis has it right: "A crash involving a lorry and two cyclists" would be a much better way of phrasing it.

It's just lazy journalism and, sadly, something the BBC does an awful lot.

I've seen cyclists on the A30 and though "blimey, no way I'd ride this". I love riding in Cornwall, but what I love are the ridiculously steep back lanes. eg: 30 km loop around the Fowey estuary with 750 m climbing.

They have been named http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Charity-cyclists-died-A30-near-Newquay-n...

But I see nothing of the 3 lanes that are mentioned in the comments above. I can see two and from what I remember travelling that road in March as part of LeJogLe, it was a fast road.

Simon, maybe the solution is not to ban cyclists but to put in place usable alternatives? the A40 between Cheltenham and Gloucester has a TRO banning cyclists, there is a usable alternative that adds a mile or so. The alternative is still busy but far more pleasant than a dual carriageway with a motorway junction.

Although i can't remember seeing any signs telling you that cycling is banned????

In theory dual carriageways can be the safest roads to cycle, lots of room, good sight lines, yes the speed differential is high but is it really that much different to what you get on many country lanes with far worse sight lines?

Echo Thor. Did the JOGLE in June 2013 and I hated every second of the 10mins we were on the A30 as well as some bits around Inverness and Dumfries. This is not the first time I have heard about LEJOG/JOGLE fatalities on A30 and sadly is unlikely to be the last. Regrettably, the only way to complete the ride in 6-7days is to use larger/more dangerous roads. I think the only way going forward is to re-classify sections of specific 'A' roads as Motorway/Prohibit non-motorised vehicles and make people really think about their route rather than choose roads like the A30. I'm making no comment on the specifics of this case, just seeking to be pragmatic to protect people in future, there are options around the A30 and other busy roads but if you are new to an area they can be difficult to plot and so there needs to be assistance/clear direction given.

Tragic news - I felt sick when I heard the news.
I completed JoGLE two weeks ago and this has struck home. My heart goes out to their family and friends. Just awful.

This is very sad news and my sympathy goes to the family's and friends of these two cyclists. The news does however make me a bit annoyed. Six years ago I did the LEJOG and although mainly avoided the A 30, there were a couple of sections that it was just unrealistic to detour around it.

As most end to end cyclists don't have the luxury of being able to meander around the lanes in Cornwall due to time pressures and holiday entitlement from home and /or work, the A30 presents itself as the natural route through the peninsular.

Following my ride, and realising that the road is not suited to cycling but that it will be used frequently by end to Enders and the danger that this presents, I e mailed Cornwall CC road safety department asking if a cycle track could be built along a few sections that need to be used to link up lanes running parallel to the A30, similar to the A66 in Cumbria(the route of the C2C)

I was advised that there was no need for a cycle lane!!!! The CTC forum held a similar view as I recall.

Perhaps now they might realise the need for a cycle lane alongside the A30, and a signed safe route to direct cyclists away from this road where it can be avoided.

If you feel the same e mail road safety Cornwall - their contact should be available on the council website.

BBC Spotlight local news said:

"Two cyclists in collision with a lorry"

Semantics - is it not more likely that the lorry was in collision with them?

If you want to comment there are already some half-wits on https://www.facebook.com/bbcspotlight

I live in the next village from the accident and i saw these two guys a couple of miles to the east . At the accident point the road is two lanes, is flat and visibility was fine at the time.
I wince everytime I see riders on this road its so busy .
I would advise anyone doing the end to end to take roads to the north or south but avoid the A30 at all cost .

Very sad news and my thoughts go out to the families

My sister just heard the news and rang to see if I was ok .

Tragic, so tragic. I hope that their families and friends receive all the support they need.

Sad, sad news....hopes and prayers to all family and friends...

This is sad news. That section of the A30 has 3 lanes and the Fraddon turning is on quite a hill so drivers often try and get some speed up so they can make it up the hill without having to change down. As the incident happended just before the hill I wouldnt be surprised if speed was a factor.