Inflation has turned people’s routines upside down, but could they be in danger?

By Tia Rawlings and Travis Smith

The public of Holloway Road have had to switch up their method of transport due to rising costs of fuel and travel fares. 

But is Holloway Road a danger zone for those who want to travel eco-friendly and cost efficient? 

Holloway Road has a history of road accidents, particularly involving cyclist collisions. Mayor Sadiq Khan has consistently encouraged people to be eco-friendly and cycle to work, but for some people this has cost some their lives.

Why cycle?

Cycling is free, and with inflation increasing it makes sense to use a transport method that is free to use, to get from place to place. 

Steve Nelson, volunteer at Oxfam, 57, said, “I cycle often, because I volunteer at Oxfam just up the road when I can, but I have heard horror stories about this road being a death trap for cyclists. 

“I’m not really a big worrier but it’s crossed my mind before,” said Nelson. 

However, some Londoners need to travel further than is possible to cycle but have still made changes to their routine to save money. 

Ramona Bailey, 17, said: “I used to get the tube to college but now I just get the bus. It takes so much longer but it’s cheaper than the tube and my parents can’t afford it right now.” 

Is Holloway Road a death-trap?

The number of cyclists killed on London’s roads fell to its lowest on record in 2021, figures from Transport for London (TfL) show. The number of people killed while cycling in London in 2021 was down by 40% on the 2005-2009 average, from 17 to 10 people, according to the transport body’s annual report.

But according to research by cycling groups, 119 cyclists died on London’s roads in the period from 2011 until February last year. Holloway Road is seen as a death-trap, not only for cyclists but also for pedestrians and motorcyclists, due to its busy thoroughfares and often poor sign-posting.