Image: Durham Police
Efforts to improve the safety of cyclists and motorcyclists are being stepped up over the next two weeks, as part of a national two-wheel campaign.
Co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the campaign gets underway today (20 May) and runs until 2 June – covering the spring bank holiday weekend, a traditionally busier time on the roads.
The campaign aims to improve driver behaviour, with police forces across the UK placing an additional focus on enforcing road traffic regulations.
Police-led operations will also look to educate drivers on how to safely pass cyclists – while explaining to riders the dangers of not having the correct skills, knowledge and personal protective equipment.
One of the forces involved, West Mercia Police, is urging all motorists to ‘share the road responsibly’.
Superintendent Melanie Crowther, West Mercia Police, said: “Supporting this national campaign with local activities and increased enforcement is an important way of raising road safety issues amongst cyclists, motorcyclists and other road users.
“Unfortunately cyclists and motorcyclists are over-represented within our road collision statistics and we want to ensure we are doing all we can with both education and enforcement to keep these two groups safer.
“This not only means specific activity with these two groups but with all other motorists on the role they can play to keep our vulnerable road users safer.”
Meanwhile in Cleveland and Durham, officers will be carrying out ‘close pass’ operations – educating drivers on the need to leave 1.5m when overtaking cyclists.
Officers are also running BikeSafe skills workshops, which offer an observed ride with a police graded motorcyclist or approved BikeSafe observer.
Inspector Jon Curtis, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “It is the responsibility of all road users to be considerate and drive or ride as safely as possible in order to reduce the number of serious and fatal collisions on our roads.
“Raising awareness of the issues that some two-wheel riders face can help us reduce the risk to them and the risk to other road users.
“Motorcyclists and pedal cyclists are some of the most vulnerable on our roads, it is our intention to help educate and raise awareness in order to try to avoid as many tragedies as possible.”
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