Neighbours have spoken of their shock today at the death of 62-year-old hospital porter Brian Holt who was killed in east London on his bike in a collision with a tipper lorry on the notorious A11 Mile End Road.

He died at the scene on the accident at the junction with Bancroft Road—just 100 yards from the Mile End Hospital where the 63-year-old family man had worked for 40 years.

His neighbours in Belgrade Street in Stepney, only six minutes away, spoke of their sadness after hearing of Tuesday evening’s horror.

“It was a shock when we heard Brian had been killed on his bike,” said retired seaman Patrick Batley, 83. “He was a quiet man.

“I used to see him every day in the park, always polite and always said ‘good morning’—it shouldn’t happen to anyone.”

Brian’s family were already in bereavement after his mother died last month, neighbours confirmed.

A former Royal London Hospital security officer living in the street said: “He sadly buried his mum only weeks before.

“His wife and daughter have been left to grieve twice. We’re all a bit shocked.”

Brian died at the scene of the accident, despite efforts by paramedics from the Royal London Hospital to revive him.

The collision was on the Cycle Super Highway that shares road space with other traffic along the A11 which has already claimed two cyclists’ lives this year. Mr Holt is the fourth victim along the route between Aldgate and Stratford who included French student Philippine De Gerin-Ricard, 20, killed in Whitechapel High Street in July.

It happened the day before London Mayor Boris Johnson opened the scheduled extension to the blue lane cycle route further east, between the busy Bow Roundabout and Stratford.

The super highway has come in for criticism from the London Cycling lobby, London Assembly members and Brian’s own neighbours where it shares road space with other traffic.

His next-door neighbour who had known him 15 years said last night: “There isn’t the room for all the traffic on the same road as bikes. Streets in London just aren’t wide enough.”

The Assembly’s John Biggs, who represents east London at City Hall, has called for total segregated cycle paths for cyclists and has criticised the Mayor for “putting their lives in danger.”

A post mortem on Mr Holt was carried out at Poplar Mortuary yesterday, giving cause of death as multiple injuries. An inquest is to be held.

The lorry driver involved stopped at the scene and has been interviewed by police, but not arrested.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw Tuesday evening’s accident in Mile End Road at 4.40pm to contact the Witness Appeal Line on 020-8597 4747.