Cyclist dies five days after being severely injured in collision on ‘dangerous’ Wanstead Flats

The family of a cyclist[1] who suffered fatal injuries in collision[2] with a car have called for speed cameras[3] to be installed in an area notorious for the lack of road safety. Barry[4] 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 in Newham, at the junction of Woodford Road[5] - which later becomes Centre Road - and Capel Road.

However police signs appealing for witnesses have been erected further north on Centre Road, adjacent to a zebra crossing and the Centre Road car park - suggesting the collision actually happened in the borough of Redbridge. ADVERTISEMENT Council sources said the collision happened on the Redbridge side of the border.

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.[6] The first cyclist death of 2025 happened on Stratford High Street in Newham. The victim has never been named.[7]

A ghost bike erected in Stratford High Street/Carpenters Road in memory of an unnamed man killed by a HGV in January (Critical Mass London) Mr Shonibare's family, who are being supported by Met family liaison officers, said: "Barry[8] was much loved, father, brother, uncle and friend.

A genuine, kind and caring man. "No words will adequately describe the grief[9] 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. ADVERTISEMENT

"No family or individuals should suffer this heartbreak again."

A police appeal sign has ben erected at the zebra crossing on Centre Road in Wanstead Flats, adjacent to the Centre Road car park (Ross Lydall) 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.

Flowers have been left at the scene of the crash Newham Cyclists, part of the London Cycling[10] 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[11] infrastructure".

ADVERTISEMENT The group backed the call for speed cameras[12] and protected lanes for cyclists. Woodford Road near the junction with Capel Road has a 20mph speed limit but no cycle lanes.

As Woodford Road becomes Centre Road - across the borough boundary from Newham to Redbridge - cycle lanes are marked out with plastic "wands" on either side of the road.

The entrance to Centre Road car park on Wanstead Flats - cycle lanes are marked out by plastic wands (Ross Lydall) 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."

References

1. ^ cyclist (www.standard.co.uk)
2. ^ collision (www.standard.co.uk)
3. ^ speed cameras (www.standard.co.uk)
4. ^ Barry (www.standard.co.uk)
5. ^ Woodford Road (www.standard.co.uk)
6. ^ fourth person known to have been killed cycling in London in 2025. (uk.news.yahoo.com)
7. ^ Newham.

   The victim has never been named. (uk.news.yahoo.com)

8. ^ Barry (www.standard.co.uk)
9. ^ grief (www.standard.co.uk)
10. ^ Cycling (www.standard.co.uk)
11. ^ cycling (www.standard.co.uk)
12. ^ speed cameras (www.standard.co.uk)