Feasibility Study for Bicycle Safety: Data Assessment and Network Evaluation

Bicycles offer a promising transportation alternative to private motor vehicles, especially in areas with congestion, poor air quality, and high fuel prices. This study sought rational methods for evaluating the benefits of incorporating bicycle-friendly features into highway project designs. Data on recent bicyclist fatalities and other collisions involving bicyclists in Indiana were analyzed to determine factors that could help to explain the incidents and offer insights into countermeasures or remedies. Human error – on the part of the bicyclist or the motorist – was found to be the most common factor. Poor lighting and noncompliance with sidewalk ordinances also were frequent causes of bicycle crashes. A Bicycle Network Analysis Tool was developed to assess the level of service offered to bicyclists in a study area. The tool uses route length and measures of perceived safety to quantify the bicycle friendliness of a street network. The tool can be used to compare networks and assist in the selection of locations for bicycle facility improvements.

• Record URL:
  • http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1720&context=jtrp
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University/Indiana Department of Transportation JHRP

  Purdue University, School of Civil Engineering
  West Lafayette, IN  United States  47907-1284

  Indiana Department of Transportation

  100 N Senate Avenue
  Indianapolis, IN  United States  46204

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Klobucar, Michael
  • Fricker, Jon D
• Publication Date: 2007-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 80p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle crashes; Bicycle facilities; Bicycle lanes; Bicycle travel; Cyclists; Highway safety; Nonmotorized transportation; Route choice; Safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Crash analysis
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Planning and Forecasting; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01104906
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/IN/JTRP-2006/19
• Contract Numbers: SPR-3032
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 22 2008 9:06AM