Police to patrol streets where cyclist hit by car amid growing safety fears

More police officers will patrol roads around Eaglesham after the death of a 74-year-old cyclist who was involved in a collision with a car.

Calls have been made for Police Scotland to take action due to concerns over the safety of cyclists in the area, who are “increasingly fearful”.

David Lang had been cycling on Polnoon Street in Eaglesham on Thursday, January 16, when the collision occurred.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital for treatment but sadly died five days later. Police Scotland has confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

East Renfrewshire councillor Caroline Bamforth told police chiefs that there are “concerns continually” in her Newton Mearns South and Eaglesham ward, with “people contacting me about cycle lanes and wanting more”.

She said while the “tragic incident where the very experienced and well-regarded cyclist lost his life” is under investigation, it has “stirred up some concerns”.

Speaking at a council meeting where Police Scotland was present, she said: “We have a lot of cyclists, and the Ayr Road is probably the busiest cycle route in our area.”

Cllr Bamforth added a constituent had contacted her to raise concerns over a quarterly police update which “contains no information about what measures are being taken to protect vulnerable road users”.

They added Ayr Road was “the most cycled route in south Glasgow” and “remains the most dangerous for cyclists”.

“Tragically, we are mourning the loss of a fellow cyclist this week, a member of my cycling club, following a collision with a driver,” the constituent had said.

“This tragedy has left our club shocked and increasingly fearful, particularly as several members have been hit by drivers in the past six months.”

On behalf of her constituent, Cllr Bamforth asked what action the police would take to “deter dangerous driving and protect cyclists”.

She said there is an issue with cars parking in cycle lanes, adding: “The way to overcome that, I believe, would be to put double yellow lines, which is the council’s responsibility.”

But she added that it would “take money, it will take a TRO [traffic regulation order]” and asked what the police could do in the meantime.

Chief superintendent Lynn Ratcliff said Police Scotland’s thoughts “go out to the family and friends” of the cyclist, adding the matter is “very much under investigation”.

She added: “What’s really important for us is that incidents involving cyclists are reported to us. We know from working with various cycling groups across the city that it is traditionally under-reported.

“I think there are a lot of reasons for that. One of them may well be that there may be a perception that the police won’t take those reports seriously. We absolutely do, we absolutely will.”

The chief superintendent urged people to “report near misses or incidents where vehicles and cyclists come together”.

In relation to Eaglesham and the Ayr Road area, she said: “We will try over the course of the coming weeks to get additional officers up into the area.

“First of all, it gives us a visible presence and can act as a deterrent, but it allows us to gather information a little bit and understand what those issues are.

“Once we have got a better idea of what the challenges are in the area, we can look to develop a bespoke plan.”

She added education was “key” and the force intends to re-run “operation close pass’” which teaches people to give cyclists enough room.