Close passing in Scotland

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Steady rider
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Joined: 4 Jan 2009, 4:31pm

Close passing in Scotland

Post by Steady rider »

https://www.transportxtra.com/publicati ... rtid=71181
Some 96% of drivers in Scotland accept that a ‘close pass’ must be frightening for people cycling while 90% said there should be more protection for cyclists, new research shows.
Driver should be prepared to wait, if needed.
fastpedaller
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Location: Norfolk

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by fastpedaller »

And Cycling Scotland Chief Executives answer to the issue is ........
A network of dedicated cycling lanes, separated from road traffic, is the number one priority to make our roads safer for cycling.
What sort of attitude does his response demonstrate?
Surely the answer is "Educate drivers and more police on the roads, which will probably be cheaper than a 'segregated system' which puts cyclists at even greater danger at road junctions"
Steady rider
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Joined: 4 Jan 2009, 4:31pm

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Steady rider »

The middle ground may be the better approach. Where traffic levels exceed 10k per day, some form of cycle track/lane type option.
Traffic levels between 5k and 10K, lower speed limits, wide cycle lanes if space permits.
Priority at minor junctions for cyclists of the main road.
firedfromthecircus
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Joined: 23 Jan 2012, 7:50pm

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by firedfromthecircus »

Third party reporting would be a big step forward. One which many forces in England have adopted with success while Police Scotland still seem to be dragging their heels.
Mind you, if my experiences of Police Scotland hold for a bigger sample they don't give two hoots about cyclist safety. Fully bought in to car culture!
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gaz
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Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by gaz »

Low(ish) budget education campaign.

Don't know whether such things are effective.
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High on a cocktail of flossy teacakes and marmalade
Steady rider
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Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Steady rider »

Today on an A road, traffic speed 50 to 60mph, traffic did not want to wait or slow down, passed close by. Initial publicity may be wearing off.
Ron
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Joined: 5 Jan 2007, 9:07pm

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Ron »

fastpedaller wrote: 14 May 2022, 9:04am And Cycling Scotland Chief Executives answer to the issue is ........
A network of dedicated cycling lanes, separated from road traffic, is the number one priority to make our roads safer for cycling.
What sort of attitude does his response demonstrate?
Surely the answer is "Educate drivers and more police on the roads, which will probably be cheaper than a 'segregated system' which puts cyclists at even greater danger at road junctions"
The first point doesn't make sense, providing a segregated path for cyclists will not make the "roads safer for cycling" ,for those who wish to remain on the roads. I think he must have been misquoted there.
If the CE means separating with a white line of paint on the edge of the carriageway, I would not be happy. If he means total segregation I would say bring it on, I've never felt endangered by well engineered segregation .
Regarding 'Education', engineering out the dangers would be more beneficial in the longer term.
Police Scotland need to be prepared to accept reports of dangerous driving without without supporting video evidence.
KirkPatric
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Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by KirkPatric »

The problem with a policy of segregation is that it's effectively telling dangerous drivers to carry on driving dangerously and the next step is ban cyclists, explicitly or implicitly, from the road because it's too dangerous or at least say they use the road at their own risk and shouldn't expect bad drivers to be penalised. Apartheid rarely leads to equality, the less powerful group invariably end up with a smaller share of resources and restricted in what they can do.
Well Engineered segregation is good at the practical level and has a place but it's not a substitute for improving driving standards drivers.
hemo
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Joined: 16 Nov 2017, 5:40pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by hemo »

A pedelec forum member has posted pics from his new camera a Gopro10 for a 30 odd day bike hike/tour around his native scotland and has reported a driver to Plod scotland on day 1, shockingly the pics appear to show the car passing with barely more then 5/6cm gap, yes 50/60mm. It is being investigated as he has a crime no as well, also he has other close passes to give to plod as well.
Steady rider
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Joined: 4 Jan 2009, 4:31pm

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Steady rider »

From the enforcement side, what is or will be the main differences between the Highway Codes advice and if there had been legislation requiring a minimum passing clearance?
H/C
leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
NSW https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating- ... s-bicycles
When overtaking bicycles, you must allow a distance of at least 1m between you and the rider when the speed limit is 60km/h or less, or 1.5m if it’s more than 60km/h.

https://www.ncsl.org/research/transport ... lists.aspx
Jdsk
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Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Jdsk »

Steady rider wrote: 5 Jun 2022, 12:11pm From the enforcement side, what is or will be the main differences between the Highway Codes advice and if there had been legislation requiring a minimum passing clearance?
I'd expect very little difference in the effects on driver behaviour, detection or prosecution.

Jonathan
Steady rider
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Joined: 4 Jan 2009, 4:31pm

Re: Close passing in Scotland

Post by Steady rider »

https://www.gov.uk/speeding-penalties
Assuming they fined drivers for passing too close, the fines could be related to how close, via video evidence and passing speed.
Or if 3 points were added and a fine. Drivers would then know if passing too close they could incur a fine and points. What penalties in practice will result from the Highway Codes advice?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/1836090 ... o-cyclist/
https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/new ... ss-cyclist
https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/100-fine ... a-cyclist/
https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/motors ... clist-car/
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