Road deaths in London have surged, with pedestrian fatalities rising sharply. Campaigners are urging immediate action from city officials to address this alarming trend.

London: The number of road deaths in London is on the rise. In just one year, fatalities have jumped by 16 percent. This includes a tragic case of a cyclist who died after being hit by a bus.
Activists are calling it a crisis. They want the mayor, Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London to take action. Provisional data shows 130 road deaths in Greater London for 2024.
Among these, 66 were pedestrians, 10 were cyclists, and 27 were car occupants. The number of pedestrians killed has increased by nearly 25 percent compared to last year.
One cyclist was hit by a bus in Streatham Hill and died two weeks later. His death was only reported recently, highlighting the ongoing dangers on the roads.
Another cyclist was killed by a bus in Tower Hamlets. This tragic incident happened just before midnight on November 23. The victim was 45 years old and died at the scene.
In a heartbreaking case, nine-year-old Ada Bicakci was cycling with her family when a bus veered off the road and struck her. She passed away in the hospital two days later.
In response to these tragedies, a “ghost bike” was placed at a dangerous junction where a young cyclist lost his life. This was part of a protest ride that aimed to raise awareness about road safety.
Campaigners are pushing for safer junctions and better conditions for cyclists. They want Transport for London to prioritize these changes to prevent further deaths.
While the statistics are alarming, they don’t capture every incident. Some deaths are not included in the official count if they occur more than 30 days after the crash.
In 2024, there were two incidents where three people died in crashes. One of these was not counted as an official death because it happened in a private car park.
Last year, 61 of the 66 pedestrian deaths were officially recorded. This shows a significant increase in fatalities, raising concerns about road safety in the city.
Recent incidents include a young man who was killed when a car drove into a group of pedestrians on Christmas Day. The driver has been charged with multiple offenses.
Transport for London aims for zero road deaths by 2041. However, the rising numbers show there’s a long way to go.
Caroline Russell, a member of the London Assembly, expressed her concerns. She emphasized that every death is a tragedy for families and friends.
She pointed out that in October alone, 13 people died while walking or crossing the road. This includes a two-year-old boy and several others who were struck by vehicles.
Russell is urging TfL to improve conditions for bus drivers, as fatigue and distractions are contributing factors to these accidents.
Transport for London acknowledges the issue and is working on safety upgrades at dangerous junctions. They have completed work at 45 out of 73 identified locations.
Despite the increase in fatalities, TfL insists that the overall numbers are still lower than pre-pandemic years. However, they recognize the need for more action to ensure safety on the roads.