A DOCTOR who videos himself cycling to work and posts it on YouTube has persuaded Glasgow's biggest bus firm to launch a safety campaign.

First teamed up with Anniesland's Dr David Brennan, 34, when the clinical scientist lobbied the firm after several near-misses with buses.

"I've got a camera in my helmet and after an incident earlier this year I sent the video to First with suggestions they should start a drivers' campaign," said the father-of-two, who is also a campaigner with Strathclyde cycling group Gobike.

"I was amazed when First contacted me to say it would agree to the campaign," he added.

The campaign, called Give Cyclists Room, will involve putting stickers inside the driver cabins of 1000 buses reminding them to give cyclists room on the roads and enforcing the message at safety briefings.

Douglas Harrison, non-executive director of First, said: "As a cyclist of more than 50 years, I am well aware of the dangers people often face on the roads.

"As awareness about the environmental impact of car traffic increases, this campaign is a timely reminder to all of our drivers to ensure they drive in a responsible manner and give plenty of room to cyclists."

Dr Brennan, who bikes a daily 10-mile trip to work at the Southern General Hospital, said the near-miss with a bus in February and other incidents prompted him to post his videos on web forum YouTube.

He said: "Glasgow's not the friendliest cycling city because it is very busy and the road layout isn't ideal for bikes.

"I cycle on Crow Road into work and that is just a rat run.

"As a cyclist, you get a lot of abuse on the roads. It's about mutual respect and all road users need to integrate better."

Alex Shearer, First's executive director, said road safety was taken "extremely seriously" by the bus company.

He said: "We decided to initiate this campaign after we heard from Dr Brennan that he had experienced a couple of close calls with buses when riding his bike to work in Glasgow.

"We take all matters relating to safety extremely seriously."

Glasgow City Council figures show cycling is increasing by as much as 23.4% every year in some of the city's major bike routes - such as the Forth and Clyde Canal.