CYCLISTS' lives are at risk in more than a dozen danger areas across Oxford, according to a city cycling group.

In a 13-page report to Oxfordshire County Council, campaigners from Cyclox have identified areas that they say need urgent safety improvements to prevent serious accidents.

The report comes six months after the death of Oxford University student Tsz Fok, 22, who was killed when his cycle was involved in a collision with a lorry at the junction of Broad Street, Holywell Street and Parks Road, in the city centre.

The report is based on observations made by the organisation's chairman, James Styring, on a cycle ride around the city with Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member for transport, and Green councillor Craig Simmons.

Among areas highlighted are Cowley Road, Headington Hill, The Plain, Botley Road and Frideswide Square.

Mr Styring said: "The idea behind the report is to highlight the areas where cyclists are having difficulties, and to suggest some easy solutions to make it better and safer for them.

"There are parts of the city where people are having to run the gauntlet, as they feel it's too dangerous to cycle.

"Lots of people are having to get off their bikes to get past areas that they think are bad.

"We should be able to make the roads safe, so they don't have to do this."

Mr Styring said he felt there had been a greater emphasis on trying to shift people out of private vehicles and on to public transport.

He said: "We want to change the political mentality towards cyclists.

"The council has a good reputation for getting people out of cars and on to buses, but we feel the same attention hasn't been given to cyclists."

And he called on the council to do more to promote safer cycling.

He said: "The council doesn't provide training for adults in Oxfordshire, which isn't the case in many other parts of the country.

"I understand that these things cost money, but there's obviously a way for local authorities to fund these kind of things and they would dramatically improve road safety."

However, he added: "There are some fantastic routes for cyclists, such as along Marston Ferry Road towards North Oxford, and the cycle route by Parson's Pleasure through University Parks.

"We don't want to scare people from cycling in Oxford, we just want to ensure that people are aware of the dangers there."

Mr Simmons said the report gave the county council an opportunity to review provision for cycling.

He said: "It's important every now and then to take stock of the progress that's been made on the ground and to assess the situation."

Mr Hudspeth said: "I appreciate James taking the time to show me the areas he's concerned about and I will certainly be looking at the report, to see what we can do.

"We have to work within the parameters of our budget, but, where possible, we can try to incorporate improvements into other work we're doing."