Prof Chris Oliver discusses Edinburgh Close Pass Trial

Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities

Period24 Apr 2017

Media contributions

1

Media contributions

  • TitleProf Chris Oliver discusses Edinburgh Close Pass Trial, making cycling safer? BBC Radio Scotland
    Media name/outletBBC Radio Scotland
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    Date24/04/17
    DescriptionOperation Close Pass will see drivers pulled over for passing too closely an unmarked police cyclist or any other concerning or illegal driving behaviour. The officer will be capturing footage on a bike-mounted camera should any action need to be taken. The drivers will be given advice using a specially commissioned road mat which has been funded by Cycling Scotland with further support from Road Safety Scotland. Any offences will be dealt with appropriately. The initiative is being piloted in Edinburgh, having been originally developed by West Midlands Police, with the intention of rolling it out across Scotland. Many people are deterred from cycling in Edinburgh for fear of being passed too closely, and failing to give people on bicycles as much room as you would give a car when passing puts all road users in danger and could constitute careless or even dangerous driving. Members of the media will be able to watch the operation take place, and speak to Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing, Police Scotland; PC Dominic Doyle, Edinburgh Divisional Road Policing Unit who has spearheaded the initiative in Scotland; and Keith Irving, Chief Executive, Cycling Scotland. Footage and images captured by the camera from previous operational work will be made available to TV broadcasters upon request, and will be available on the Edinburgh Division Facebook page for all other media to link to later on Monday 24th April 2017.
    PersonsChris Oliver

Keywords

  • cycling
  • accident
  • close pass