The family of a cyclist who suffered fatal injuries in collision with a car has called for speed cameras to be installed in an area notorious for the lack of road safety.
Barry Shonibare, 71, died in hospital on June 21, five days after being severely injured in the crash on Wanstead Flats in east London.
Police said the collision happened at about 12.20pm on June 16 near the junction of Woodford Road - which later becomes Centre Road - and Capel Road.
The Metropolitan police said on Tuesday that officers were continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
Mr Shonibare is the fourth person known to have been killed cycling in London in 2025.
Provisional data from the Metropolitan police suggests the collision happened on Centre Road, 55 metres north of the junction with Forest Road, The Standard was told.
The collision appears to have happened after the end of a cycle lane that is demarcated with plastic “wands”.
Police signs appealing for witnesses have been erected on Centre Road, adjacent to a zebra crossing and the Centre Road car park.
Contrary to information provided by Scotland Yard, it is believed that the collision happened in the borough of Redbridge, not on the Newham side of the borough boundary.
A Redbridge council consultation that proposed installing road humps to slow traffic on Centre Road closed last month.
This is part of a wider council plan to “reduce vehicular speeds, reduce the occurrence of collisions and improve road safety” in the area around Wanstead Flats.
The first cyclist death of 2025 happened on Stratford High Street in Newham. The victim has never been named.
Mr Shonibare’s family, who are being supported by Met family liaison officers, said: “Barry was much loved, father, brother, uncle and friend. A genuine, kind and caring man.
“No words will adequately describe the grief of his family or the sudden and tragic loss of his life. He was fit, healthy and thoroughly enjoyed life.
“Our family, alongside the police, seek justice and resolution. We appeal to the Mayor of London, TfL and the borough of Newham for the immediate deployment of speed and road traffic cameras on Centre Road.
“No family or individuals should suffer this heartbreak again.”
The car driver, a 26-year-old man, failed to stop at the scene but returned on foot. He has been “helping police with their enquiries”, the Met said.
No arrests have as yet been made.
It is not known whether the driver was speeding.
Emergency services were called to the scene and transported Mr Shonibare to hospital.
Any witnesses or anyone with information, such as dash-cam or mobile phone footage, is asked to please call police on 101 quoting 3399/16JUN.
Newham Cyclists, part of the London Cycling Campaign, is planning to hold a short vigil at the collision scene at 7pm on Monday, July 14 to pay respects to Mr Shonibare.
Newham Cyclists said the location was known by many cyclists to be dangerous, “with high motor vehicle speeds and no protected cycling infrastructure”.
The group backed the call for speed cameras and protected lanes for cyclists.
Woodford Road near the junction with Capel Road - an area within Newham council’s control - has a 20mph speed limit but no cycle lanes.
As Woodford Road becomes Centre Road - as the road crosses the borough boundary from Newham to Redbridge - cycle lanes are marked out with plastic “wands” on either side of the road.
A spokesman for Newham cyclists said: “Newham Cyclists is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Barry Shonibare while he was cycling on the A114 Centre Road/Woodford Road.
“Our thoughts are with Mr Shonibare’s loved ones as they navigate an appalling loss that no family should ever have to endure.
“People are exposed to danger every day on Centre Road/Woodford Road—with no protected space for cycling on the Newham part of the road, wide lanes and a painted median that invite speeding, and poor driver compliance at the zebra crossing at Capel Road.
“We completely concur with Mr Shonibare’s family in their call for speed cameras on Centre Road, and also urge the Mayor of London, TfL, and Newham and Redbridge councils to fund and deliver safe cycling infrastructure to ensure no-one else is killed or hurt on this important corridor.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “Every death on London’s roads is devastating and our thoughts are with Mr Shonibare’s family and friends following his tragic death last month.
“We are awaiting the outcome of the police investigation into Mr Shonibare’s tragic death and will work with the council to explore initiatives to enhance safety on their roads.
“It is our priority to make London’s transport network safer for everyone and we will continue to work closely with boroughs, local partners and the police to respond to concerns about road safety.”
