Lambeth and Southwark account for half of London's most dangerous locations for cyclists

There appears to have been an amazing escape this morning in Southwark, when a lorry collided with a cyclist just south of London Bridge. The cyclist was lucky to emerge (apparently) relatively unharmed whilst her bike being squashed under the wheels of the lorry.

Others have not been so lucky. Cyclist casualties across the UK rose by 7% last year, up from 104 in 2009 to 111 in 2010. Transport for London may well face a charge of corporate manslaughter over the death of Min Joo Lee earlier this year.

It has now come to light that Lambeth and Southwark between them account for half of the ten most dangerous locations for cyclists in the capital. The new information came to light after a question to the Mayor of London.

The locations with the highest number of cycle collisions in the London area between 2008 and 2010 are:

1. St. George's Road/London Road/ Elephant & Castle Junction (Southwark)

2. Clapham Road/ Kennington Park Road/ Camberwell Road Junction (Lambeth)

3. Strand/Northumberland Avenue/Whitehall Junction (Westminster)

4. Waterloo Road/ Stamford St/ York Road Junction (Lambeth)

5. Mansion House St/Princes St/ Threadneedle St Junction (City of London)

6. Elephant & Castle/Newington Butts Roundabout (Southwark)

7. Hyde Park Corner (Westminster)

8. Millbank/Lambeth Bridge Junction (Westminster)

9. Clerkenwell Road/Farringdon Road Junction (Islington)

10. Albert Embankment/Kennington Lane/ Wandsworth Road Junction (Lambeth)

Transport for London say they are taking some action around these areas to improve cycle lanes, cycle superhighways and road layouts. Green Assembly Members have made significant progress in ensuring a tripling of the budget for cycling and walking, They have also put forward everything from the cycle hire scheme to a costed plan for lower bus fares.

But more needs to be done such as reducing the speed limit on many more roads in the capital to 20 mph - including main roads - which as well as lowering casualty rates and saving lives would improve traffic flow and lower carbon emissions. The London Cycling Campaign's "Going Dutch" proposals would provide clear space to cyclists on every main road. As part of this transport funding for boroughs could even be made conditional on providing clear space (where possible) on certain roads such as those leading to schools.

More needs to be done, urgently. As we have seen today - and now most days in the capital - these are issues of life and death.