Group calls for police crackdown on drivers

A DUNDEE cycling group has called on police to crack down on drivers who don’t give them enough room on the roads.

Police divisions in Edinburgh, the West Midlands and further afield have launched operations where plainclothed officers take to the streets on bikes to catch drivers who don’t allow enough passing room and now cyclists want it brought to Dundee.

Launched in April, Operation Close Pass in Edinburgh has seen those who don’t give enough of a space, pulled over and given advise using a specially designed mat which shows how much room cyclists need.

After hearing positive reports from other police forces, the Dundee Cycling group has made it a priority to encourage Tayside Division to start a similar operation in the city.

Neil Cooney, who is a member of the group, said: “I think a lot of people who don’t cycle don’t realise how off-putting it can be when they drive too closely.

“We think the operation is a good way of changing drivers’ behaviour and of getting the message across to people. I’m a confident cyclist but know from my own personal experience how it can make you quite concerned when it happens.

“The city centre is bad and Arbroath Road as well when you’re approaching traffic islands. Some of the roads are in poor condition with potholes as well and you need a little bit of room to go around them and drivers sometimes don’t realise this.”

Councillor Kevin Cordell, who is a keen cyclist, said if the operation in Edinburgh works, he would like it rolled out in Dundee.

He said: “I’m open to ideas from any source to assist in making our roads safer for cyclists but also more harmonious for all road users. From what I gather, Police Scotland certainly considered the operation in Edinburgh worthwhile and I’m certainly open to meeting with local Police Scotland Officers to hear their thoughts. We needs to ensure all road users know what is expected of them and if operations such as Close Pass can assist in that process then I would be all for it.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said they were considering whether the work could be carried out in Tayside.

She said: “We are aware of the operation in Edinburgh and will consider the relevance for Tayside Division.”