ROAD safety campaigner Paul Cullen has died after collapsing while out cycling with his wife near Banbury.

Mr Cullen, a leading campaigner for the introduction of 20mph speed limits across Oxford, was taken to the Horton Hospital at Banbury after suffering a heart attack.

Mr Cullen, of Richmond Road, Jericho, was a retired transport consultant, with most of his work undertaken for Transport for London. The 67-year-old moved to Oxford in 2000 with his wife Ros Weatherall, who shared his passion for cycling.

He served as chairman of the Oxford Pedestrians’ Association, until November and was an enthusiastic member of Cyclox, the Oxford cycling group.

James Styring, of Cyclox, offered a tribute to Mr Cullen and explained how he managed to get his message across.

He said: “Paul was not only warm, thoughtful and funny, he was a real inspiration. In his campaigning work, he expressed his ideas with verve and clarity. He had a knack of explaining and carrying audiences with him.”

Cyclox plans to hold a Paul Cullen Memorial ride on Monday, June 20, during Bike Week.

Mr Cullen also became an active member of Oxford Civic Society, where his extensive knowledge of transport issues proved a major asset to the society in its campaigns to reduce the number of signs and improve bus shelters.

As chairman of the Oxford Pedestrians’ Association he was a prime mover in creating the Life Begins at 20 and the 20 is Plenty campaigns to get speed limits reduced. The association said his advice proved invaluable in boosting both the campaigns to stop the development of Warneford Meadow four years ago and the introduction of pavement parking when the East Oxford car parking zone was proposed.

Mr Cullen died on Monday, May 2. He leaves a wife, a son, a grandson and two stepdaughters.