15,779 cyclists submitted footage of poor driving to the police in 2024, a new record, according to IAM RoadSmart.
Surveying police forces across England and Wales through a Freedom of Information request, IAM Roadsmart found that the number of cyclists submitting driver footage to the police has doubled since 2021.
20 police forces reported how many pieces of footage showed drivers performing close passes, with Avon and Somerset Police receiving the most, at 3,501 in 2024.
It comes as IAM RoadSmart found that 58% of drivers do not know how much space they are required to give to cyclists.
In 2022, the Highway Code was updated, now recommending that drivers give cyclists 1.5 metres when overtaking at speeds of up to 30mph.
IAM RoadSmart also found that 34% of drivers often see other drivers or motorcyclists performing close passes, and 17% said they often see drivers or motorcyclists passing on blind bends.
Harriet Hernando, active travel spokesperson at IAM RoadSmart, said: “It is extremely concerning that more than half of motorists don’t know how much space to give a cyclist when overtaking.
“Passing too closely to a cyclist can be intimidating and dangerous, especially if they need to move out to avoid a pothole.
“It is small wonder then that record numbers of cyclists are installing cameras and submitting footage of dangerous or careless drivers to the police.”
An increasing number of Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) have also been served, with 54% of reports in 2024 resulting in an NIP
Of the police forces surveyed, Bedfordshire had the highest prosecution rate, with 90% of reports resulting in an NIP in 2024.
In 2023, 87 cyclists were killed on UK roads, while 3,942 were seriously injured.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said: Since changes were made to the Highway Code in 2022, to better protect vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians, we’ve not seen the big safety impact we’d hoped for, and this research reveals the reasons why.
“The majority of people who drive, simply aren’t aware how much distance to give to people who cycle when overtaking.
“This is why it’s crucial to educate all road users of their responsibility to protect those most vulnerable.
