Catriona Cockburn, who died after being knocked off her bike by a lorry at Oval Tube

THE family of a cyclist who was killed when she was hit by a lorry have said that more needs to be done to keep people safe on their bikes in the capital.

Catriona Patel, 39, was killed after being hit by an HGV at Oval Tube station during Monday's rush hour.

She is the sixth cyclist to die in a collision with a lorry in London in the past five months.

She was taken to the Royal London Hospital but was pronounced dead soon after arrival.

Brother-in-law Vinay Patroe said that cyclists faced a tough time on London's roads - even those as careful as Catriona.

He said: "To get cyclists on the road is laudable, but there doesn't seem any means of making it safe for that number of people. It's a free for all and we don't seem to be making things safe for cyclists.

"There are lots of things cyclists are encouraged to do and Catriona was a very safe cyclist. But this was just a normal junction."

The experienced cyclist from Clapham had been due to take part in the Etape du Tour this month, an event where amateur riders follow a 107-mile stage of the Tour de France.

"It's a free for all and we don't seem to be making things safe for cyclists"

Vinay said that husband Anish, mother Janet and the rest of the family had been devastated by the news.

"She was a wonderful person, very loving and generous. She and my brother were a fantastic couple and she was a very kind, caring person."

Tributes were sent by staff at corporate communications giant Citigate Dewe Rogerson, in London Wall.

A message on the firm’s website said: “She was a highly professional and dedicated colleague who will be missed enormously by all of her friends at CDR as well as her clients."

The driver of the lorry has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

London Mayor Boris Johnson is a keen cyclist and has announced his intention to get more Londoners on their bikes. Last month a network of cycling super-highways were announced to encourage people to ditch cars and public transport and cycle around the city.

Bill Chidley, a bike safety campaigner who runs the movingtargetzine.com website, said: “It’s worth noting in most years since 1999 no more than nine London cyclists have been killed by collisions with lorries.

“Unless we are very careful, it seems clear that at least another three people will die under the wheels of a lorry before the end of 2009. This would make 2009 the worst year for a long time.”