Renewed Focus On Cycling Safety

With the clocks going forward last weekend, we’ve seen the return of lighter evenings, which will no doubt be a relief to many, but especially those who are commuting to and from work by bike.

In Hampshire, the local constabulary is running a week-long campaign to put cycling safety back at the forefront of everyone’s minds, drivers and cyclists alike. As the weather gets warmer, it’s no surprise that more people take to two wheels to get to work.

The Basingstoke Gazette reported on the Give Space, Be Safe operation that was run by Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police last week. The main aim is to target drivers who don’t give cyclists enough space when they overtake them.

However, they also took the opportunity to remind cyclists “to be more visible and ensure they have lights on and lit after sunset”. That might mean investing in new high visibility clothing to ensure other road traffic can see them from further away.

The news provider also revealed that in the past three years 1,122 pedal cyclists have been killed or seriously injured in this part of the country, highlighting the importance for drivers and cyclists to do all they can to stay safe.

Radio Borders recently reported on a similar initiative that was carried out in the Borders area around Peebles, where an unmarked police cyclist rode a bicycle on the A72 to check that drivers were allowing enough space when overtaking.

Although ten cars were pulled over further down the road after passing too close, the officers were impressed by the overall care and consideration shown by motorists for the cyclist.