IT’S National Bike Week and as part of the initiative Warwickshire Police is supporting Cycling UK’s ‘Too Close For Comfort’ campaign by asking drivers to take extra care when overtaking cyclists and to leave them plenty of space.
Sergeant Leanne Mason said: “With an increasing number of cyclists using our roads it is more important than ever for all those involved to share the road responsibly and to work together to keep all road users safe.
“Cyclists do not have the same protection as a driver sitting in a vehicle and even relatively minor contact can seriously injure them.
“It is really important to leave plenty of space – at least 1.5m or a car’s width when overtaking a cyclist as they may have to move out into the road to avoid hazards like drains, potholes or debris.”
Cycling UK have produced a Too Close for Comfort video to show drivers what it’s like to be close passed so non cyclists can understand it from a cyclist’s perspective. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kgPt-lNYGY
It’s not all about drivers either – cyclists too can take action to help keep themselves safe on the roads.
It’s important to check your bike regularly – especially the brakes, make sure you can be seen on the road, particularly at junctions where three quarters of cyclist collisions happen.
For advice from RoSPA for both cyclists and motorists click: https://www.rospa.com/rospaweb/docs/advice-services/road-safety/cyclists/sharing-the-road.pdf
People can also help improve road safety by reporting and submitting digital footage showing potential traffic offences as part of Operation Snap.
This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.
Submissions will then be reviewed by road traffic police officers. Click here for more information https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/operationsnap
