The leader of the council has refused to take a bike ride around the borough to see what improvements could be made to cycle lanes.

Shasha Khan, a member of Croydon's Green party, invited Councillor Mike Fisher on the trip in July.

But he was told last week - months after writing to him - Coun Fisher would be sending his deputy Dudley Mead instead.

A disappointed Mr Khan said: "I was not surprised. I can't see that Mike Fisher, being an old-school Tory, is the kind of person who rides a bike usually. I'm sure he's more of a car person.

"The whole purpose of the ride was to show Croydon Council how dangerous it is to be a cyclist in the borough. The lanes are poor and need to be updated. You take your life in your hands when you go out on them.

"I live in St James's Park in Selhurst where it's a one way street for cars but two ways for cyclists, which is extremely dangerous. I have had a couple of near misses myself.

"The council sent someone to have a look at it a year ago and they could not believe how it was designed. But the council decided it couldn't do anything about it because it had a shortage of engineers and funds."

Coun Fisher denied that he had refused the invitation and said that Councillor Mead was being sent because he was the best man for the job.

He said: "Councillor Mead is the cyclist among us and he was more than happy to do the ride. I haven't been on a bike in a few years so it made sense for him to do it.

"If what Mr Khan wants is a serious look at the cycle lanes in Croydon then Councillor Mead is the best man."

  • A video of the St James's Road junction can be found on a website click here for more.