The award-winning Give Cycle Space campaign was developed to educate drivers, alongside other priority actions aimed at improving road safety for everyone.
Research shows that, of all the safe driving behaviours around people on bikes, drivers are least likely to leave the right amount of space when they overtake.
In partnership with Police Scotland, our campaign aims to both increase awareness of the minimum safe passing distance of 1.5 metres, and improve driver behaviour around people on bikes.
Transport Scotland funded an annual, national Give Cycle Space campaign until 2024. Tactran funded a regional campaign in the Tayside and Central region in February/March 2026.
The message is clear: dangerous and careless driving around people on bikes is risking someone’s life and risking serious legal consequences.
We’re all people, travelling on the road and wanting to get home safely.
Key results from the independent campaign evaluation in 2024 included:
Gold in the Public Sector category at the 2024 Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards
Gold in the Transport and Leisure Travel category at the 2024 BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) Awards
UK PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association) awards 2024 winner
Bronze in the Marketing in Society category at the 2020 Marketing Society Scotland Star Awards
Get in touch with us about the Give Cycle Space campaign at media@cycling.scot
In our stakeholder toolkit, you'll find Give Cycle Space videos, graphics, and suggested content for social media, newsletters and internal communications.
When driving, follow the Highway Code and always give at least 1.5 metres of space when driving at speeds of up to 30 mph– this will usually mean crossing into the other lane.
And remember to
According to the Near Miss Project a person cycling is likely to experience a “very scary” incident once every week, and being passed too closely by a vehicle is an everyday experience for people cycling.
For someone who regularly cycles, every year they can experience an event that is “so frightening that it alone makes them consider giving up cycling.”
As a person who cycles and drives, I think about both when I make choices on the road. I believe Scotland’s roads would be a lot safer if all drivers had this perspective - especially if they knew how frightening it was when a car passes too closely.
Shgufta Anwar
Glasgow
Close passes have made me extra vigilant – more than I should be, as I feel like I need to be the eyes for the driver, as well as for me, to make sure I’m visible and stay safe.
Dylan McDonald
Edinburgh
It’s hard to single out one time when I have been really shaken by a near miss, as I reckon I am closely overtaken by a vehicle at least once a day. It never gets easier, sadly.
Derek Neilson
Aberdeen
Of course, a campaign on its own isn’t enough: we need urgent change including networks of dedicated cycle lanes and enforcement to reduce dangerous driving.
Find out more on the priority actions for road safety.