A time trial for cyclists has been cancelled following the 'hostile media coverage' of a controversial inquest into a pedestrian fatality in Regent's Park in 2022.

The event, which has been running in Richmond Park for 15 years, was set to take place on 23 June and 7 July, but has been suspended by The Royal Parks.

The charity has been under immense public scrutiny in recent months, after a coroner's inquest into the death of 81-year-old Hilda Griffiths found no charges could be brought against the cyclist who collided with her in Regent's Park.

In a letter to local cycling group Richmond Park Cyclists (RPC) regarding the closure, Park Manager Paul Richards said: "The cyclist involved in the fatal cycling crash was carrying out a time trial/speed laps. This has brought this activity to people's attention."

He added that The Royal Parks charity "required a pause to evaluate our position aligned across all [our] parks".

However, RCP says the event's organisers, cycling club London Dynamo, "does a risk assessment for the events [...] there have never been any serious safety-related incidents to our knowledge".

"They are incredibly popular with all sections of the cycling community, pose no harm to anyone, and we will continue to make the case that the events should be reinstated next year," concluded RCP.

In a statement to Nub News, Mr Richards said: "The Royal Parks charity takes the safety of all park visitors and road users extremely seriously. 

"Following several cycling-related incidents within the Royal Parks, linked to a minority of people cycling at excessive speeds, it is our duty to take action to minimise the risk of accidents and our priority to ensure the safety of all cyclists together with other visitors.

"We strive to create a relaxing and welcoming environment for the cycling community. We have reduced cut-through motor traffic and invested in safety measures to protect cyclists, pedestrians, and other road users, including the equine community.

"We continue to review and explore our current cycling events, our cycling policy, and the infrastructure across the Royal Parks.

"During this period of review, we have taken the decision to not permit the time trial events on 23 June and 7 July, as they directly encourage cyclists to go faster than the speed limit of the road."

The time trial, like the Prudential Bike Race in Kingston (pictured), is a major event for a number of Richmond's cycling clubs. (Photo: Ollie G. Monk)

The cyclist involved in the fatal Regent's Park collision, Credit Suisse banker Brian Fitzgerald, was reportedly travelling between 25mph and 29mph while doing laps of the park with members of his cycling club, Muswell Hill Peloton.

In court, Mr Fitzgeral estimated he only had 2 metres in which to stop when Ms Griffiths stepped out from a pedestrian island with her dog.

As bicycles are self-propelled and lack speedometers, cyclists are not subject to speed limits on UK roads.

However The Royal Parks has previously fined cyclists for not following speed limits on its own roads, with regulations being applied inconsistently.

Mr Richards commented: "Enforcement of the law and park regulations is the responsibility of the Metropolitan Police."