‘Close pass’ scheme for cyclists in new launch

A SECOND scheme to protect cyclists in Yorkshire from potentially dangerous drivers has been launched by police.

North Yorkshire Police’s Close Pass campaign, where drivers who fail to keep a safe distance from cyclists while overtaking are given an educational talk and could even be prosecuted, follows a similar scheme in West Yorkshire. Cycling campaigners have also called on South Yorkshire Police to introduce the measures.

Working alongside road safety partners 95 Alive and with the support of Cycling UK, officers involved in Operation Spartan want to educate drivers that they should leave at least 1.5 metres to safely overtake a cyclist.

Launching the campaign at York Sport Village yesterday, North Yorkshire Police will use a ‘close pass mat’ developed and funded by Cycling UK’s ‘Too close for comfort’ appeal using the Kickstarter website. The mat depicts the amount of room drivers should use when overtaking.

Traffic Constable Michelle Bergstrand from the force’s Major Collision Investigation Unit said: “Following the success of the Tour de Yorkshire we have seen an increase in the number of cyclists on our roads.

“By the nature of cycling, cyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users and Operation Spartan aims to ensure that drivers are aware of the fact they need to leave sufficient space when passing a cyclist.

“Rule 163 of the Highway Code states at least the width of a car should be left between cyclist and vehicle...We are advising this should be 1.5 metres from the cyclist.”