Comparing the effects of infrastructure on bicycling injury at intersections and non-intersections using a case–crossover design

Background: This study examined the impact of transportation infrastructure at intersection and non-intersection locations on bicycling injury risk. Methods: In Vancouver and Toronto, the authors studied adult cyclists who were injured and treated at a hospital emergency department. A case–crossover design compared the infrastructure of injury and control sites within each injured bicyclist's route. Intersection injury sites (N=210) were compared to randomly selected intersection control sites (N=272). Non-intersection injury sites (N=478) were compared to randomly selected non-intersection control sites (N=801). Results: At intersections, the types of routes meeting and the intersection design influenced safety. Intersections of two local streets (no demarcated traffic lanes) had approximately one-fifth the risk (adjusted OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.66) of intersections of two major streets (more than two traffic lanes). Motor vehicle speeds less than 30 km/h also reduced risk (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.92). Traffic circles (small roundabouts) on local streets increased the risk of these otherwise safe intersections (adjusted OR 7.98, 95% CI 1.79 to 35.6). At non-intersection locations, very low risks were found for cycle tracks (bike lanes physically separated from motor vehicle traffic; adjusted OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.59) and local streets with diverters that reduce motor vehicle traffic (adjusted OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.003 to 0.60). Downhill grades increased risks at both intersections and non-intersections. Conclusions: These results provide guidance for transportation planners and engineers: at local street intersections, traditional stops are safer than traffic circles, and at non-intersections, cycle tracks alongside major streets and traffic diversion from local streets are safer than no bicycle infrastructure.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040561
• Record URL:
  http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/content/19/5/303.abstract
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13538047
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2013 M. Anne Harris et al.
• Authors:
  • Harris, M Anne
  • Reynolds, Conor C
  • Winters, Meghan
  • Cripton, Peter A
  • Shen, Hui
  • Chipman, Mary L
  • Cusimano, Michael D
  • Babul, Shelina
  • Brubacher, Jeffrey R
  • Friedman, Steven M
  • Hunte, Garth
  • Monro, Melody
  • Vernich, Lee
  • Teschke, Kay
• Publication Date: 2013-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 303-310
• Serial:
  • Injury Prevention
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
  • ISSN: 1353-8047
  • EISSN: 1475-5785
  • Serial URL: http://injuryprevention.bmj.com/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle crashes; Bicycle lanes; Crash injuries; Cyclists; Highway safety; Infrastructure; Intersections
• Geographic Terms: Toronto (Canada); Vancouver (Canada)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01496921
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 10 2013 3:24PM