Radical cycling activists brought a major Holloway A-road to a standstill last night.

Islington Gazette: The Stop Killing Cyclists 'die-in' protest in Camden Road, Holloway. Picture: Polly HancockThe Stop Killing Cyclists 'die-in' protest in Camden Road, Holloway. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Stop Killing Cyclists held a “die-in” protest – lying in the middle of Camden Road for 10 minutes – in the spot where Ardian Zagani died on Tuesday last week.

The 6pm protest happened at the junction with Hilldrop Crescent, near to where Mr Zagani suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a Transit van.

As well as remembering Mr Zagani, Stop Killing Cyclists was calling for TfL (Transport for London) and Islington Council to improve safety measures on the road.

Co-organiser Donnachadh McCarthy said this morning: “We wanted to make visible the price people are paying.

“It was a respectful protest, and we were pleased most of the drivers took it in that vain. The vast majority were patient and didn’t start beeping.

“It’s really important to make people realise how bad Islington is for cycling. We say 0.5 per cent of the roads in this borough have adequate protection for cyclists.”

He added: “The one positive is the 20mph speed limits [Islington Council was the first London borough to enforce this] but we feel the Metropolitan Police is failing to enforce this.”

Among the measures Stop Killing Cyclists are calling for in Camden Road are protected bike lanes and traffic calming measures.

Co-organiser Nicola Branch said last week: “I was horrified at the speed cars were travelling at along this road. I saw absolutely horrendous driving, and cyclists are very much the canary in the coalmine.

“We are calling for protected infrastructure on Camden Road, like the bike lanes you see on Blackfriars Bridge. It needs traffic calming measures. Pedestrians also need protection, with proper crossings.”

Islington Gazette: The Stop Killing Cyclists 'die-in' protest in Camden Road, Holloway. Picture: Polly HancockThe Stop Killing Cyclists 'die-in' protest in Camden Road, Holloway. Picture: Polly Hancock (Image: Archant)

Islington transport leader Cllr Claudia Webbe said: “We are challenging the Mayor of London to tackle the safety concerns on TfL’s roads, where the council does not have the authority to make changes. Camden Road would benefit from this significant safety intervention. A good start would be for TfL to also make its roads 20mph.

“Islington is a cycling friendly borough, and we are committed to making cycling as safe and easy as possible.”

Stop Killing Cyclists said Mr Zagani, who was his his 30s, had been riding to the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London in Tottenham, where he was a caretaker. It was his first day back at work.

The driver of the van was initially arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has since been released without charge.