- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
forum
How to stop close passes, who to write to?
I keep getting close passed on a section of my commute. It's a two lane 30 mph road and the lanes are relatively wide. I ride primary but still get regularly close passed. I often catch up with them at the lights and a common reaction is they're apologetic and have no idea that passing so close is an issue. I appreciate the generous distances most drivers give but then a lot either haven't heard of the 1.5m rule, or they ignore it. If the police ran a close pass operation here it would be a busy day for them.
How will the active travel goals ever be reached if this is what it's like to cycle? Who can I write to? The police, the council (for the road design), my MP? Is it a waste of time?
If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.
Latest Forum Topics
Latest Comments
- David9694 4 hours 35 min ago
Dawlish driver suffered seizure before smashing into wall...
- C3a 4 hours 46 min ago
I agree. Off to sign.
- themuffle 4 hours 59 min ago
With both Hunt and Scribe, I really think you'd be mad to get wheels from anybody else.
- Sriracha 5 hours 39 min ago
Weight is a problem when it costs you in energy on the uphill which is lost on the downhill, or lost in braking. But if that energy can be...
- ktache 6 hours 29 min ago
And because they are so likely to flip and are heavier they have to have stronger and wider A pillars which reduces visibility.
- MatzeLoCal 6 hours 35 min ago
What amazes me most is how small the north american market is....
- bikes 6 hours 36 min ago
"perhaps unavoidable", as gently easing off on the accelerator pedal for 2 seconds would obviously be out of the question.
- SWILD 6 hours 40 min ago
I've been commuting by bike for the last 15 years a few miles south of Hebden Bridge between Shaw and Newhey. My route follows the A640 / A663...
- Geoff Ingram 7 hours 9 min ago
While I agree that you are completely right in theory, I find that in real life roads that I can stay in a good position safely with my 36cm bars...
Add new comment
31 comments
I am afraid you won't be able to stop close passes but you can play your part in trying to hold drivers to account which may reduce the problem in the long term.
First thing to do is work out what police force you come under and see if they run OpSnap or some other system for receiving video footage of incidents during your ride.
If they do then you will need a camera. Battery life will be a major factor when choosing a camera. You can get away with shorter life if you can get spare batteries and change them at work before your return journey. Low light performance is an issue even with some expensive cameras and if this is the case a mic input is useful so you can call out number plates. The ideal would be front and rear fixed cameras and a headcam but this is something to build up to.
You then read the instructions on the police web site and report driving you deem to be inconsiderate or dangerous. At this point you will suffer one or both of the following. The police will take no action against the driver. The police will not tell you the outcome of your report.
You then need to email your PCC and MP to see if they will help. Unlikely. You can also send your videos in to roadcc NMOTD and get advice from commenters who report already, some of whom may be in the same area as you.
It is very easy to get disheartened when reporting but I feel it is important to keep it up. I've been reporting in Gloucestershire since 2020. Here is my first ever.
https://road.cc/content/news/near-miss-day-461-dangerous-overtake-rain-2...
In all that time only two drivers have had points and a fine and I think one of those was because the oncoming van had to stop. I still report and in 2024 nearly all my reports have met with (as yet unspecified) action. If it was "just" a close pass then it was NFA but the assessor did take the time to explain why. Things should have changed now though as they have said they are going to send out advisory letters for close passes so I'm going to start reporting them again.
Finally good luck if you decide to join us vigilantes/road safety campaigners. (delete as appropriate)
Pages