Around 1,000 cyclists gathered on May 30 for the unveiling of a “ghost bike” in memory of Jamal Yahya Pratley, the latest young Londoner to die while cycling in the capital. The 24-year-old, who lived in Hackney, died in hospital on April 18, six days after being critically injured in a collision with a van at the junction of Bloomsbury Street and New Oxford Street.
Mr Yahya Pratley is the third person to have died cycling in London in 2025 and the latest to lose their life in the notorious area around Bloomsbury and Holborn over the past two decades. His father, John, told the Critical Mass demonstration: “Jamal loved cycling. He loved cycling in London. It's such a tragedy. I want to warn everybody about this junction – I don't think it's safe.”
The collision occurred shortly before 11am on April 12 while Mr Yahya Pratley was cycling to work at Known Source, a Mayfair-based company specialising in upcycling second-hand clothing. The Metropolitan Police said the van driver, a London resident, was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and has since been released on bail. The investigation is ongoing, and police are appealing for witnesses.
Known Source described Mr Yahya Pratley as “wise beyond his years, tirelessly hard-working, razor sharp, witty, caring” and said he had “a big future”. The firm added: “He put in countless long days building our HQ. It is as much his, as it is Known Source’s. Jamal has left a legacy here.”
A spokesperson for Hackney Cycling Campaign said: “HCC and London Cycling Campaign will continue in our efforts to achieve Vision Zero – to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries on our roads. One traffic collision death is one death too many.” Transport for London data shows nine cyclists were killed on London’s roads in 2024, one more than in 2023, though the risk per journey remains unchanged due to a 5% increase in cycling trips.
