NORTH YORKSHIRE cyclists are planning to pay tribute to a safety campaigner who was killed last year by continuing his work.

Karl Briggs died on October 31 when his bike was in collision with the side of a lorry on the A168 at Asenby.

At an inquest this week, coroner Michael Oakley said more needed to be done to promote safety for cyclists.

Mr Oakley recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Briggs, 65, of Ryedale Close, Helmsley.

Ron Healey, chairman of the North Yorkshire Cyclists Touring Club and a friend of Mr Briggs, said the group would continue the campaign for better safety.

"Karl was a well-respected cyclist and it would be a fitting way for us to remember him by keeping up the pressure on the Government," he said.

"There are still a number of improvements which need to be made to make things safer for cyclists.

"The first is that there needs to be more awareness among motorists using North Yorkshire roads.

"They need to be aware that they should take extra care around cyclists."

He said that cyclists also needed a greater awareness of the safest routes for cyclists to use.

"The coroner pointed out that the A168 was not a particularly safe road. We will be urging cyclists to use routes which have better facilities," he said.

The continuation of the campaign has been praised by Mr Briggs's widow, Cecilia, as a fitting homage to her husband's work.

"I am not a cyclist, but I know Karl was very concerned with the safety of cyclists and he did a lot of work to improve matters for them," she said.

"I would be very pleased to endorse anything which reflects his work."

Updated: 11:28 Saturday, May 25, 2002