I'm sure it's just sloppy journalism but from the details given, as another poster has observed, it appears strange that the failing rear wheel bearings and lack of a brake block would cause the girl to suddenly fall off. The coroner blaming it on poor maintenance, based on the final state of the bike and the witness statement that the bike was unfit, seems to be an easy verdict to make.
Drivers when overtaking a bike should leave as much room as if they were passing a car - remember the Government Information film of the woman riding her bike swerving to miss the grid.