Close passing of cyclists in Basingstoke

The request was partially successful.

Dear Hampshire Constabulary,

Close passing of cyclists is both dangerous and off-putting - 56% of cyclists in a survey said "they were worried by close passes". Close passes, and the fear of them, can put off new cyclists from continuing, and can cause experienced cyclists to stop cycling for a while whilst they recover. I am frequently passed too closely whilst cycling on my way to work, or when I go shopping - usually on roads like Hatch Warren Way (Basingstoke), Brighton Way (Basingstoke), Harrow Way (Basingstoke), Jays Close (Basingstoke), Grove Road (Basingstoke), Pack Lane (Basingstoke and Oakley), and the B3400 between Basingstoke and Whitchurch.
Waiting for cyclists to report close passes is not enough - not all cyclists have helmet cameras. Many cyclists do not believe that the police care unless they see proactive action by the police.
Can you tell me, for the area covered by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councuil (including Whitchurch, Tadley, Overton, Kingsclere, and almost to Hook), or for the area covered by Hampshire County Council (i.e. not unitary council areas like Southampton and Portsmouth):-
1. What proactive action you have taken to show drivers that close passing of cyclists is unaccaptable? For example, use of the "Close Pass Mat" on roads.
2. How much of your budget has been spent in those areas in support of preventing (as opposed to reacting to) close passes?
3. The number of reactive actions taken in those areas after close passes or brake tests, e.g. charging drvers with careless or dangerous driving?

Yours faithfully,

Jon Pennycook

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

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Dear Mr Pennycook

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: HC/002727/18

 

The following request for information under the Freedom of Information Act
was received by the Public Access office at Hampshire Constabulary on the
date listed above:

 

Close passing of cyclists is both dangerous and off-putting - 56% of
cyclists in a survey said "they were worried by close passes".  Close
passes, and the fear of them, can put off new cyclists from continuing,
and can cause experienced cyclists to stop cycling for a while whilst they
recover.  I am frequently passed too closely whilst cycling on my way to
work, or when I go shopping - usually on roads like Hatch Warren Way
(Basingstoke), Brighton Way (Basingstoke), Harrow Way (Basingstoke), Jays
Close (Basingstoke), Grove Road (Basingstoke), Pack Lane (Basingstoke and
Oakley), and the B3400 between Basingstoke and Whitchurch. 

Waiting for cyclists to report close passes is not enough - not all
cyclists have helmet cameras.  Many cyclists do not believe that the
police care unless they see proactive action by the police.

Can you tell me, for the area covered by Basingstoke and Deane Borough
Council (including Whitchurch, Tadley, Overton, Kingsclere, and almost to
Hook), or for the area covered by Hampshire County Council (i.e. not
unitary council areas like Southampton and Portsmouth):- 1. What proactive
action you have taken to show drivers that close passing of cyclists is
unacceptable?  For example, use of the "Close Pass Mat" on roads.

2. How much of your budget has been spent in those areas in support of
preventing (as opposed to reacting to) close passes?

3. The number of reactive actions taken in those areas after close passes
or brake tests, e.g. charging drivers with careless or dangerous driving?

 

Your request will be considered in accordance with the legislation and you
will receive a response within the statutory timescale of 20 working days,
subject to the provisions of the Act.  In the unlikely event that
Hampshire Constabulary is unable to meet the 20 working day deadline, you
will be informed as soon as possible and given a revised time-scale for
response.

 

To be accepted, any clarification(s) to your request must be submitted in
writing directly to the Public Access team at Hampshire Constabulary. 

If your request requires either full or partial transference to another
public authority, you will be informed.  Should you have any further
enquiries concerning this matter, please write or contact Public Access on
telephone number 02380 479 580 quoting the reference number above.

 

 

Sue Adcock | Public Access

Joint Information Management Unit | Hampshire Constabulary & Thames Valley
Police

Telephone 02380 479580 | Internal 463 1754

Address: Hampshire Constabulary, Mottisfont Court, Tower Street,
Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8ZD.

 

Information Management Helpdesk:

Hampshire :[1][email address] / 02380
479580 (Int 463 1754)

Thames Valley: [2][email address] /
01865 542051 (Int 300 329)

 

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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

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Kind Regards

 

Amy McDonald | Public Access Officer
Joint Information Management Unit | Hampshire Constabulary & Thames Valley
Police
Telephone: 02380 479580 | Internal 46-31757
Address | Hampshire Constabulary, Mottisfont Court, Tower Street,
Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 8ZD

 

Information Management Helpdesk:

Hampshire        [1][email address] / 02380
479580 (internal 463 1760)

Thames Valley   [2][email address] /
01865 542051 (internal 300 6329)

 

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