SHOCKING footage shows the moment a reckless driver makes a close pass on a cyclist narrowly missing his young daughter cycling in front.
The incident happened on Gilmerton Road, near Liberton High School in Edinburgh on Friday (18/03/2022) at 4.35pm.
On the road there is a cycle lane and cyclist priority markings at pinch points – including the traffic island where the close pass occurred.
Despite initially being patient, seconds before he could safely pass with ample space, the driver of the white BMW chose to swerve in front of the child before disappearing at speed into the distance.
The footage was captured by local Steve who uploads clips of his trips under the pseudonym ‘Edinburgh Cyclist’
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Sharing the clip he wrote: “A spectacularly impatient overtake from a spectacularly bad driver.”
The video has since been viewed over 5,000 times and received dozens of comments criticising the actions of the driver.
One user commented: “As much as cyclists do my nut in, I would do the same and ride protective of my child – the driver should have waited.”
Another said: “Cyclists are allowed to cycle two up if they feel its safer to do so in this situation its acceptable, if I was riding with my little one the white car wouldn’t of got past at that point in the road.”
A third wrote: “Car driver bang out of order and should be prosecuted for dangerous driving.”
A fourth added: “Drivers like this are the reason new laws have been passed.”
Speaking today Steve, 38 said: “I considered reporting this to the police, and several people have encouraged me to, but previous experience has taught me that it’s almost certainly a waste of time for me and the responding officers.
“I expect that most officers would say that because the adult moved to the left, they encouraged the overtake, and that the driver did nothing wrong – though it’s clear to me that the driver should have kept more of a distance between them and the cyclists so as to not pressure them, and then passed when it was safe to do so.”
Cycling Scotland were contacted for comment but they said they don’t comment on individual cases.
Earlier this year the Highway Code was revised to give cyclists priority with drivers ordered to stay at least 1.5 metres away when overtaking.
