Police release CCTV of cyclist riding along towpath moments before body found in canal

A tragic loss of life on what I would of thought would be a safe place to cycle but reading other comments this seems to be not so.

From the video he seems to be looking into the canal, often where you look you end up as I have found out to my cost from riding MTB. Has the canal been searched for his bike and is there canal barges with camera's in the area. 

I worked in the same department as Paul & we would often talk as we changed before leaving work (however, I was "WFH" on the day in question).  He'll be missed.  

My deep condolences to Paul's family and friends

This is so desperately, desperately sad. I can play What If forever, but What If he had been on a public, well-populated area and not hidden away riding a desolated towpath. What If he were on a safer, wider and less inclement road surface, than unsurfaced paths. What If he weren't riding along one of the crime hotspots of the local region.

Whatever the cause of this man's death, there can be no stronger argument against these rubbish excuses for cycling 'infra.' They are literally excuses saying "Look how well we did" while in reality are dangerous and inadequate.

I know too many people who have ridden into canals in daylight, that's not counting the ones who have damaged shoulders from falling off the other way after hitting rocks or other obstructions. I can think of about 10 people I know in the last 15 years who have had a serious incident on tow paths. They've mainly laughed about going in afterwards, but they weren't laughing at the time.

It's another example of why things that sound like safer cycling infrastructure are often better avoided and instead you should be annoying motorists by using their roads which is normally safer.

There is a bridge over a siding near the location where the body was reported  which can get slippy and when damp (frozen) and also has raised areas for pedestrian foot holds. Those are bad enough in the daytime, at night....... Then a sudden plunge into near freezing water. 

Of course that is assuming no one else was involved.