THE family of a 20-year-old cyclist who was killed after cutting in front of a moving lorry have installed a 'ghost' bike at the place he died to remind drivers and cyclists of the dangers of the road.

Kit Isambard Pentlow was cycling on the A422 Hennef Way in Banbury on November 4 when the incident occurred, an inquest heard yesterday.

Witnesses reported seeing him "wobbling" along the three lane carriageway in Ermont Way and seeming oblivious to all traffic around him.

He then cut in front of a heavy goods vehicle, just before it pulled out onto a roundabout, and was knocked off his bike and dragged under the vehicle.

The inquest also heard Mr Pentlow had been on drugs and playing on his mobile phone while cycling.

Coroner for Oxfordshire Darren Salter said: "This is a tragic accident to have occurred but the evidence points to the likelihood that Kit was intoxicated to some extent by the use of drugs.

"He moved from the near side of the HGV to the offside, something I don't think anyone expected."

A toxicology reported showed Mr Pentlow, who lived in Alma Road, Banbury, had taken drugs that day as traces of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and Diazepam were found in his blood.

Mr Salter said this would have led to him having poor control of his bike and a slow reaction time.

Sister Clemency, 22, and dad David attended the inquest. Following Mr Pentlow's death they installed a white 'ghost' bike on the road where he died.

Miss Pentlow said after the inquest: "Kit was an intelligent, witty young man.

"He has left a special mark in the hearts of people he knew and met.

"As a memorial to him and a reminder to drivers and other cyclist of the dangers of the road, we have put up a white 'ghost' bicycle at the location of the accident.

"The bicycle is a symbol of the love friends and family have for him, where flowers are left in his memory."

The HGV driver, Wayne Gilbert, spoke of the moment he first saw Mr Pentlow.

Mr Gilbert said: "He seemed unaware of me. I stayed a good car length behind him as I could not overtake safely. The cyclist was swerving along the carriageway. He was pressing his screen like he was texting. He was all over the place."

Mr Gilbert said he made sure it was safe to overtake before doing so, and kept an eye on Mr Pentlow in his mirrors until he was a good 30 feet away.

He arrived at the roundabout, in the third lane in Ermont Way. He said he did not see Mr Pentlow again.

Mr Gilbert added: "I pulled away and was still checking. In seconds I heard a scraping sound. I first thought it was the truck or trailer. I checked all mirrors. Then I saw the wheels of a bike go under my wheels. At that point I had not felt a bump or anything. I jumped out. I could see the body between the second and third wheel. It was obvious there was nothing I could do."

Mr Salter concluded a death by road traffic collision.