Tributes paid to dad killed in latest cycle tragedy

TRIBUTES were today paid to the fourth cyclist to die on the Capital’s roads in a year as Scotland’s transport minister pledged action to improve road safety in the city.

TRIBUTES were today paid to the fourth cyclist to die on the Capital’s roads in a year as Scotland’s transport minister pledged action to improve road safety in the city.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has promised to look at what can be done to protect cyclists following the death of Bryan Simons in a rush-hour crash on Monday.

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The 40-year-old father, from Saughton Park, died following a collision with a taxi cab on Corstorphine Road.

Mr Simons’ neighbours today spoke of their shock at his sudden death.

One, who asked not to be named said: “Bryan only moved in about two months ago but he seemed a nice enough guy. You’d often see him about on his bike. I feel sorry for his son who was around the flat more and more often in recent weeks. A few weeks back I helped him fix his mountain bike and he was a lovely wee fella. It really is tragic.”

Shop worker, Puyush Anchet, regularly served Mr Simons in his local Scotmid.

He said: “He was a good guy, always nice and friendly. It’s mad to think you can be cycling down the road one minute and dead the next.”

Before moving to Saughton Park, it is understood Mr Simons lived with his ex- partner Marie Brodie at West Pilton Park.

Mr Brown, who plans to attend the next meeting of the Road Safety Operational Partnership Group on March 21, said: “My thoughts are with the families and friends of those whose lives have been lost in Edinburgh in recent months. For my part, I will continue to work to make sure that tragedies like these become a thing of the past.

“The rates of serious injuries and fatalities on our roads continue to fall, but concern remains about vulnerable road users such as cyclists and we are looking closely at this issue.

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Cycling is a healthy, green, cost-effective way to travel and it is vital that we ensure those choosing to do so are protected.” He praised campaigns including Give Me Cycle Space, which encourages drivers to give cyclists more room on the road.

Mr Simons’ crash was close to the scene of the death of Andrew McNicoll, who was killed on Lanark Road at the start of the year.

Last April, Craig Newton, 32, from Musselburgh, died after being hit by a bin lorry outside Broughton Primary School, and Audrey Fyfe, 75, died after a collision with a car in Portobello Road last August.

Lothian Green MSP Alison Johnstone has already called for a summit of the authorities, cycle groups and road users to discuss a “radical” rethink.

She said: “It is clear that we need a radical rethink of how we design our streets to make them far safer for cyclists and pedestrians.”

Police are still appealing to anyone who witnessed Monday’s fatal collision to contact them on 0131-311 3131.