Cycling safety drive urges motorists to leave plenty space

More than a third of people in Scotland do not always leave the correct 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists, according to a new campaign.

The Cycling Scotland road safety campaign survey of more than 1,500 adults found that 80% of people find it “frustrating” to overtake cyclists.

Two-thirds of people do not realise they could get three points on their licence for driving too close to cyclists.

Careless overtaking is classed as dangerous driving and can result in three points and a £100 fine.

Close passes are an everyday experience for people cycling, according to the Near Miss Project, with data suggesting every year people who regularly cycle will “experience an event that is so frightening that it alone makes them consider giving up cycling”.

Road safety statistics also shows that every week, on average, three cyclists suffer serious, life-changing injuries, usually from a collision with a vehicle.

Since lockdown, there has been a 77% increase in people taking up cycling, with Cycling Scotland chief executive Keith Irving saying the safety campaign, which launched yesterday, is more important than ever.

He said: “Cycling reduces our carbon footprint, improves our air quality and is fantastic for the nation’s health, and for those reasons we have to make sure this renewed enthusiasm for cycling continues and expands.

“People driving need to be aware of vulnerable road users around them and give at least a car’s width and even more when passing at higher speeds.

“Often that means waiting at a safe distance until there is space to pass.”

Police Scotland head of road policing, Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, said that road safety remained a priority.

She added: “Now more than ever, we urge motorists to give cyclists, and other vulnerable road users, especially children, plenty of space.

“We all have a duty to make our roads a safer place.”