Safety impacts of bicycle infrastructure: A critical review

This paper takes a critical look at the present state of bicycle infrastructure treatment safety research, highlighting data needs. Safety literature relating to 22 bicycle treatments is examined, including findings, study methodologies, and data sources used in the studies. Some preliminary conclus...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of safety research 2017-06, Vol.61, p.105-119
Main Authors: DiGioia, Jonathan, Watkins, Kari Edison, Xu, Yanzhi, Rodgers, Michael, Guensler, Randall
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data
Bicycle data collection
Bicycle treatment
Bicycles
Bicycling
Crash modification factor
Crash risk
Cyclist safety
Data sources
Environment Design
Humans
Infrastructure
Parking
Paths
Safety
Safety - statistics & numerical data
Safety research
Studies
Transportation - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:This paper takes a critical look at the present state of bicycle infrastructure treatment safety research, highlighting data needs. Safety literature relating to 22 bicycle treatments is examined, including findings, study methodologies, and data sources used in the studies. Some preliminary conclusions related to research efficacy are drawn from the available data and findings in the research. While the current body of bicycle safety literature points toward some defensible conclusions regarding the safety and effectiveness of certain bicycle treatments, such as bike lanes and removal of on-street parking, the vast majority treatments are still in need of rigorous research. Fundamental questions arise regarding appropriate exposure measures, crash measures, and crash data sources. This research will aid transportation departments with regard to decisions about bicycle infrastructure and guide future research efforts toward understanding safety impacts of bicycle infrastructure. •Reviewed safety literature relating to 22 bicycle treatments•Only bicycle boulevards and cycle tracks showed a significant decrease in crash risk.•Studies on bike lanes and roundabouts conflicted as to change in crash risk.•Bicycle safety studies vary greatly in sample sizes, controls, and statistical rigor.•Studies suffer from lack of standardized, transferable data on exposure to risk.
ISSN:0022-4375
1879-1247
DOI:10.1016/j.jsr.2017.02.015