Safe-pass road signs UK’s first in Snowdonia
BRITAIN’S first road signs to warn drivers to keep a safe distance from cyclists have gone up in Snowdonia.
The blue signs on narrow mountain roads tell motorists to stay 1.5m away from bicycles when overtaking.
Eight signs have been put up in Snowdonia National Park, covering 25 miles of road popular with cyclists taking in the stunning scenery.
Snowdonia has become a popular place for cyclists, with park staff seeing numbers increase since Welshman Geraint Thomas’ Tour de France success in 2018.
It costs roughly £500 per sign – and parks chiefs hope they will keep cyclists safe as traffic levels return to pre-lockdown levels.
Councillor Gareth Griffith said: “This project has looked at similar signage which is already used in many countries in continental Europe.
“We hope the scheme will benefit occasional cyclists out with family and friends, as well as more experienced cyclists who enjoy our stunning hills and mountain roads.
“Close passes are not only intimidating for cyclists, but also very dangerous.
“We must make sure that everyone out on their bike feels safe on the road.
“More people have made the most of the quieter roads during lockdown, but with traffic slowly increasing, Gwynedd Council is eager to ensure that cyclists continue to get the respect and space they deserve on our roads.”
Cyclists have welcomed the new signs and say roads in the national park could be particularly dangerous as tourists arrive during the summer.
Ann Williams, a member of Dwyfor
Cycling Club, said: “Any steps taken to help the safety of cyclists is to be welcomed.
“And it is encouraging to see Gwynedd Council taking the lead with these signs, and hopefully it will be emulated across the country.”
Stretches of the extensive cycling routes in the national park were used during stages of the Tour of Britain in 2014 and 2015.
Snowdonia was the first of three national parks in Wales – when it was protected by law in 1951. It has the highest peaks in Britain outside Scotland.
The new signage is backed by GoSafe
– the road safety partnership led by police forces.
Manager Teresa Ciano said: “We have been actively promoting the Close Pass message and continue to emphasise the importance of leaving 1.5m between an overtaking vehicle and cyclists to increase the safety of the cyclists on the roads.
“We all have the right to use our road networks and to do so safely and confidently.
“We hope that these signs will remind motorists to be aware of the distance they give cyclists when overtaking, which will contribute significantly to their safety.”