A CAMPAIGN has been launched by Notts Police to make drivers more aware of cyclists in a bid to reduce the number of accidents.

Last year 128 motorbikers and 66 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Notts roads.

Now police and Notts Road Safety Partnership have launched a bike-aware campaign, offering drivers stickers saying "Think Bike – Give Cyclists Space" to put in their rear windscreens.

Chief Inspector Andy Charlton, head of roads policing, said: "Giving cyclists space, looking out for riders before turning and pulling out from junctions, and slowing down for cyclists are all ways of making sure you do not conflict with them on the roads.

"We are appealing to the public to work with us by watching out for cyclists and motorcyclists."

However cyclist Laurie Cohen, 52, thinks more needs to be done to make drivers aware of cyclists.

Professor Cohen, who teaches at Loughborough University, travels to the train station on her bike each morning and back home to Lady Bay each evening.

Her main complaint is the way she says buses in the city go into cycle lanes.

Professor Cohen said: "I think a lot has been done to encourage people to cycle and that is a good thing. But if bus drivers continue to vent their rage on cyclists, it's hard to imagine real change. Last winter I was cycling near Trent Bridge when a Trent Barton bus hit me. I didn't fall off but I was was very shaken.

"And I have regularly had abuse and threats shouted at me from bus drivers, like 'you deserve to die'."

Hugh McClintock, of Pedals, a cyclists' campaign group in Notts, said Trent Bridge was a particularly perilous area.

He said: "There is no cycle lane and it is a very busy road where cyclists may feel threatened by buses. But we are constantly working to improve the relationship between cyclists, motorists and bus drivers. Any action like these car stickers that makes drivers more aware of cyclists is welcomed by our organisation."

Professor Cohen wrote to complain to Trent Barton after the incident.

Alex Hornby, commercial director at Trent Barton, said: "While we are proud of our driver's collective reputation for their driving ability and friendliness, given today's congested roads, incidents can happen from time to time. Thankfully such complaints are rare."

The free stickers are available at Oxclose Lane, Radford Road, Central, Newark, Worksop, Mansfield, Sutton, Hucknall, West Bridgford, Beeston and Carlton police stations.