Biking enthusiast campaigns for better road safety (From Times Series)

Biking enthusiast campaigns for better road safety for cyclists in Barnet

3:50pm Monday 29th October 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

A biking enthusiast is campaigning for better road safety for cyclists in Barnet.

Ata Shater, of Hendon, wants to see cycle lanes introduced on the borough’s roads as well as a speed camera at a “dangerous” junction in Hendon.

The 23-year-old says too many cars are speeding along the A41 and cut in front of him too closely as they turn left into Colindeep Way.

He said: “It makes me feel incredibly threatened and I’ve got so upset some times. Cars are definitely breaking the speed limit and it’s incredibly dangerous.”

Mr Shater says he has witnessed approximately five incidents at the junction while cycling to and from Oxford Street where he works as a shop assistant. He says one of the incidents involved a cyclist and two involved motorcyclists.

Mr Shater first became interested in road safety for cyclists after a white van cut him up and sent him flying over his handles bars in July.

Since then he has invested in approximately £4,000 worth of safety equipment for his bike including CCTV, lights and a horn which is louder than most found in cars.

He has also attached custom made signs including one which warns, ‘CCTV in operation. 

Dangerous drivers will be prosecuted’ and another urging drivers to leave at least 1.5metres when overtaking.

Mr Shater said: “I tried to make the signs look as official as possible so road users take them seriously.

“I know since I’ve worn all this gear I’ve felt a lot safer and I have noticed better driver behaviour. Drivers are treating me in a safer manner.

“I want to promote safer road safety for all cyclists. And hopefully, a safer cycle system will promote more people to cycle as well.”

The Times Series is waiting for a response from Barnet Council.