Bus drivers in Bradford are receiving special training on driving near cyclists as part of a major safety campaign.

Travel company First, which operates services in Bradford, Leeds, Huddersfield and Halifax, has teamed up with Yorkshire-based cycle training firm Pedal Ready to compile safety advice for its drivers.

First has also placed stickers on its buses to encourage cyclists to take care when riding near them.

The cycling safety drive forms part of the company’s Passenger Safety Month, aimed at highlighting steps passengers and staff can take to remain safe while using buses.

Brandon Jones, sales and marketing manager for First in the north of England, said: “The safety and security of our passengers and staff is central to everything we do.

“During November, this message is being further highlighted as we run a series of internal and external events across the region, raising awareness of all the things people can do to ensure their stay safe while travelling on our buses.

“We were particularly keen to tackle the issue of cyclist safety, which we know is of concern to a number of cyclists across the area. By talking to cycling safety experts, we have been able to incorporate the relevant dos and don’ts into training for all our drivers.

“Issues such as cyclists changing their position on the road and the reasons behind it are key to our drivers’ understanding of how to act in each potential circumstance.”

First has also produced more than 15,000 safe journey travel wallets containing cards with information for older people about how to stay safe on the bus, and to help them alert drivers, in a discreet way, to any special requirements they may have.

For more information about Passenger Safety Month, or to download a safe journey card, go to firstgroup.com/safejourney.