About the Site Email Newsletter Links to Cycling Organisations
Bicycle and Public Transport Bicycle Network Planning Bicycle Strategies & Plans Bike Share Programs Cycling Data End of Trip Facilities Facility Design / Engineering Land Use Planning Mobility Management
Cycling Skills: Information for Riders Cycling Skills: Programs and Resources Organisations Professional Development Research
Awards and Recognition Behaviour Change Programs Economic Benefits of Cycling Environmental Benefits of Cycling Health Benefits of Cycling Maps Marketing Ride to School Ride to Shops Ride to Work Social Benefits of Cycling Women in Cycling
Bicycle Regulations Overviews Solutions Statistics & Common Crashes
Cycle Tourism: Promotion Cycle Tourism: Strategies Organisations Recreation: BMX Facilities Recreation: Off Road Facilities and Trails Recreation: Publications and Resources Recreation: Strategies Recreation: Trail and Facility Design Research
International Local Government National Government State & Territory Government
Cycling Innovations Encouragement & Promotion Enforcement & Road Safety Engineering & Planning Funding

Search

Font Decrease Font Normal Font Increase Print

Infrastructure and cyclist safety (UK)

This literature review, undertaken by the UK's Transport Research Laboratory was released in November 2011. It considers the role of infrastructure in relation to the safety of cyclists and their interaction with other road users. Of all interventions to increase cycle safety, the strongest evidence is for the benefits resulting from reduction in the general speed of motorised traffic.

This literature review considers the role of infrastructure in relation to the safety of cyclists and their interaction with other road users. It was undertaken as part of the wider research programme, Road User Safety and Cycling, being led by TRL.

The paper identifies the influence of infrastructure on intermediate, behavioural, outcomes which may influence casualty risk, such as the speed of motorised traffic, cyclist route choice and manoeuvres etc. Of all interventions to increase cycle safety, the strongest evidence is for the benefits resulting from reduction in the general speed of motorised traffic. This may be achieved through a variety of methods including physical traffic calming; urban design that changes the appearance and pedestrian use of a street; and, possibly, the wider use of 20mph speed limits.

The literature review also identifies the potential benefits of treating junctions, particularly interventions that slow the speed of motorised traffic through them. The review identifies the potential benefits of segregated networks for cyclists but notes evidence that cyclists may be exposed to heightened risk where cycle networks intersect the general highway network. The review also identifies a number of techniques to improve cyclist safety that are in use in overseas but which have not been commonly applied in the UK. Given the limitations of many existing types and approaches to infrastructure, more innovation and experimentation, supported by appropriate monitoring, is recommended.

A report summary has been produced by the Department for Transport.

The full report can be access from the TRL publications website.