Weekday Bicycle Traffic and Crash Rates during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This report compares crash data and bicycle traffic data in Arlington County, Virginia before the COVID-19 pandemic and during (March-December 2020). Hourly weekday bicycle use was examined for the same 10 month period for 2013 through 2019 and compared with March-December 2020 data. During COVID, midday bicycle traffic increased from 68 bicycle riders per hour, on average, to 120 per hour (76% increase). Morning bicycle traffic, however, fell from 87 riders per hour, on average, to 45 (49% decrease). The bicycle injury crash rate during COVID decreased by 28%. The authors suggest that possible reasons for a crash rate decline during COVID are that fewer cyclists were riding during peak commute hours and more cyclists were using off-road trails. Bicycle traffic data came from 32 traffic counters placed along popular on-road bike lanes and off-road trails. Crash data examined included crash rate, time of day, and injury severity. In addition, traffic counts for lanes versus trails and commuter routes versus non-commuter routes were also compared.
- Record URL:
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Corporate Authors:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Ruckersville, VA United States -
Authors:
- Monfort, Samuel S
- Cicchino, Jessica B
- Patton, David
- Publication Date: 2021-8
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 27p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Bicycle counts; Bicycle crashes; Bicycle travel; COVID-19; Crash rates
- Geographic Terms: Arlington County (Virginia)
- Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01784477
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Oct 8 2021 9:45AM