Police Tackling Unsafe Motorists And Cyclists in Bath

Cyclists and motorists are being targeted by Avon and Somerset Police in Bath this morning, Tuesday 3rd December, in a scheme to improve road safety.

The aim is to educate cyclists and drivers on the proper use of the road, and to help improve relations between the two groups who often don’t see eye-to-eye when it comes to sharing the city’s roads.

The high-visibility operation will take place this morning, from 8-9.30am, on the A4 London Road junction at Cleveland Place. Officers on foot, on bicycles and in a marked car will be on location looking for offenders.

Sergeant Clive Summerill said: “Cycling is massively popular in Bath and we’re doing what we can to make it safer for everyone. We’re very well aware of tensions between cyclists and motorists, and this action should help educate both sides about their joint responsibility to use the roads legally and safely.

“We will be addressing cycle and motoring standards and will be pulling over both motorists and cyclists who commit offences for advice and warnings. Where appropriate and at an officer’s discretion we will also be issuing fixed penalties for identified offences.”

The road safety operation is the first of a weekly series, with the location changing every time.

A similar scheme is running in Bristol, where officers report positive feedback from both cyclist and motorists.

In Bath, officers will be looking for:

Cycling offences:

• Cycling on the pavement.
• No lights at night.
• Jumping red traffic signals.
• Failing to stop when asked by police.

Motoring offences:

• Failing to stop at a red light.
• Entering a yellow traffic box.
• Driving in a bus lane.
• Using a mobile phone when driving.
• Driving into cycle box at traffic lights – this is the same level of offence as not stopping at a red light.