Council and local police launch close pass cycling awareness initiative in Wokingham
Wokingham Borough Council and Thames Valley Police are working in partnership to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of drivers passing too close to cyclists.
Later this week, police will be out on bicycles in Wokingham Borough with other members of their team ready to stop any drivers passing too close and escorting them to a designated stop site.
Drivers who are stopped will have their driving licence, insurance, and eyesight checked by police. Members of the council’s My Journey team also will be on location to help educate any drivers stopped on the dangers of driving too close to a cyclist.
PC Liz Johnson, road safety officer for the Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit said: “A close pass not only presents a danger to the cyclist, but it is also intimidating. As the Highway Code states, overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so, and drivers should allow vulnerable road users as much room as they would when overtaking a car.
“A driver deemed to be driving dangerously close can be prosecuted and taken to court. Ultimately, we want all road users to share the roads together, we are about making the roads safer for all and making sure we all get to our destinations safely.”
Andy Glencross, assistant director for highways at Wokingham Borough Council said, “The safety of our residents is our number one priority and our My Journey Team welcome the opportunity to work with Thames Valley Police on this initiative. We continue to implement walking and cycling infrastructure across the borough to encourage more active travel and thank all who have provided feedback on our recent survey.
“Our team are working their way through the thousands of responses to our Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan. The plan is intended to help encourage residents to walk and cycle more around the borough and this initiative is a great start in helping our residents feel safer when out cycling around the borough.”
For further details about the council’s My Journey team visit myjourneywokingham.com
