A SEEMINGLY well-intentioned social media post aiming to highlight the need to give cyclists enough room when overtaking on roads has left local cops somewhat red-faced.

Cumbria Police posted the infographic on Twitter yesterday afternoon which showed a car overtaking a cyclist.

The advice stated: "A good driver gives a cyclist space - do you?

"When overtaking a cyclist, be aware and anticipate that the cyclist may suddenly have to avoid a hazard such as a drain or a pothole.

"By giving a minimum 1.5 metres of space, you are less likely to put yourself and the cyclist at risk of a collision.

"If you can't overtake without leaving a minimum space of 1.5 metres then hold back at a safe distance and be patient. A suitable overtaking opportunity will soon present itself."

However, eagle-eyed Twitter users were quick to point out that the car and the cyclist were the wrong way round - on a road where vehicles travel in the right-hand lane.

One user replied: "Nice initiative but the bike and the car are the wrong way round (unless they're in France).

"Either that or you are telling cyclists to leave 1.5m when overtaking cars!"

The tweet was later deleted and replaced by one showing the correct positioning for UK roads.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Are you giving cyclists enough space? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TooCloseForComfort?src=hash">#TooCloseForComfort</a> Pass safely and give cyclists at least 1.5 metres <a href="https://t.co/nRglDKvOgJ">pic.twitter.com/nRglDKvOgJ</a></p>— Cumbria Police (@Cumbriapolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cumbriapolice/status/899984770620420096">August 22, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>