LONDON -- Cyclists put down their bikes in a solemn vigil in east London Monday night after the death of a fellow rider.
The 'die in,' which took place on a road in Homerton, was in memory of cyclist Akis Kollaros, a music producer and musician from Dalston, who was killed last week in a collision with a tipper truck. Greek-born Kollaros had taken up cycling after moving to the city three years ago, according to the Evening Standard.
#StopKillingCyclists Solemn Vigil & Die-In for Akis Kollaros this evening in Hackney. @EmmaReporter @StopKillingCycl pic.twitter.com/WV4RiMcNdM— Tom Kearney (@comadad) February 9, 2015
Candles and bike lights at vigil for cyclist Akis Kollaros, killed cycling in Homerton last week #stopkillingcyclists pic.twitter.com/UPB1Pw6VnZ— Alix Kroeger (@AlixKroeger) February 9, 2015
Eyewitnesses at the vigil said there were up to 300 people in attendance.
Possibly 2-300 people here now for #stopkillingcyclists vigil for Akis pic.twitter.com/uCeVPJOZmD— Garry Lemon (@GazLemon) February 9, 2015
More than £7,500 has been raised in donations through Go Fund Me by Londoners to help cover the costs of the cyclist's funeral in Greece.
Monday's 'die in' was organised by campaign group Stop the Killing, which has been calling for a better road network more suited to cyclists and pedestrians.
"People who choose to walk or to cycle are not catered for in a safe way – all too often the design of the road network puts them in conflict with people who are driving cars, buses and lorries," the group's website says.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, 109 cyclists were killed in the UK in 2013 with 75% of these taking place in urban areas.