Investigating characteristics in a spatial context that contribute to where bicycle accidents occur

Abstract

Encouraging people to cycle more often is well supported in the academic literature due to the numerous positive economic, social and environmental benefits that are associated with the use of bicycles as a form of transportation.

Despite these benefits, the use of the bicycle for day to day transportation remains relatively low outside of European and Asian countries, with one of the main barriers to encouraging more people to cycle more often being related to the perceived and actual dangers associated with riding a bicycle.

Using a case-control methodology, this research investigated what characteristics contribute to where bicycle accidents occur in proportion to where to people cycle. Logistic regression analysis identified that the probability of being involved in a bicycle-motor vehicle (BMV) accident increases when specific characteristics are present and decreases with the presence of on road cycle lanes. Of the characteristics identified as being significant, accident probability is highest at intersections, with all types of intersections increasing accident probability compared to non- intersection locations. In addition to intersections, this research also identified that accident probability increases with the presence of high traffic volumes, School zones and driveways.