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Well, we’re not in Kansas anymore! (Sorry couldn’t resist.) But, if Dorothy were looking for safe and accessible streets to make her journey, she’d be well-served to look down the…

When talking with people who are interested in biking more but haven’t yet overcome their reservations, one of the things that comes up a lot is the challenge of one particular intersection or stretch of road. It’s too busy, or it just feels uncomfortable and dangerous.

I often remind those folks that they don’t need to ride to their destination along the same route they would drive. Sometimes there’s an alternate route that can avoid the dicey parts, but we’re just not used to looking for it. Route selection is an important factor in encouraging more people to hop on their bikes.

How do different environments impact safety and comfort? What features are people looking for it their route? Several new studies have come out that address these questions. Knowing what routes people on bikes choose will help communities deliver more bike-friendly streets – for existing and potential cyclists.

Cycle tracks and quiet residential streets increase safety

A widely reported study in the American Journal of Public Health by researchers from the University of British Columbia’s Cycling in Cities Research Program found that infrastructure reduces the risk of injury.

Major streets with parked cars and no bike infrastructure had the highest risk.
Cycle tracks – bike lanes physically separated from automobile traffic – alongside major streets and residential street bike routes were the least risky.
Major streets with bike lanes and no parked cars had about half the risk of major streets with parking and off-street bike paths had about 6/10 the risk.
The authors also note that streetcar tracks, downhill slopes, and construction added noticeably to riskiness.

“The only shocking thing about this study is just how blindingly obvious the results are, and that it has apparently taken 40 years for us to figure this out!” says League President Andy Clarke, referring to reported safety benefits of cycle tracks. The lesson, Andy notes, is that poorly designed facilities in the early 1970s did tremendous damage to the reputation of bicycling infrastructure, which set back the growth of bicycling networks. Cycle tracks and bike lanes still need to be used in the right places with careful attention to detail to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.  “Fortunately, we have learned a whole lot more about good design that does work and we’re starting to see the results,” Andy says.

On the topic of route selection, the researchers compared their safety data to the results of an earlier study on the stated-desirability of different bicycling conditions. Not surprisingly, the safer routes were also the most popular:

(Source: University of British Columbia, Cycling in Cities Program)

On Tuesday, I sat down with more than 20 active-transportation professionals and allies at the Moving Millennials workshop hosted by Transportation for America. The aim of the full-day session: Learn…

What do Facebook, Angie’s List and General Mills have in common? As of this morning, they’re all Bicycle Friendly Businesses (BFBs)! Today, the League recognized 71 new BFBs for their…

Yale and Princeton are already among the nation’s elite colleges. Now they’re among the top universities when it comes to bicycling, too. Today the League announced the designation of nine…

When we announced our latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities last week, we focused on major U.S. cities — like Los Angeles, Nashville and Miami — making the ranks. But…

The Federal Highway Administration issued guidance today to state departments of transportation on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) — a key piece of the new federal transportation bill, MAP-21. The…

As a bike shop owner, your bottom line is high on your priority list. Keeping up sales means making sure you have great product, loyal customers and knowledgeable staff. It…

As we highlighted yesterday, our latest round of Bicycle Friendly Community awards includes some big names — including Los Angeles, California. League President, Andy Clarke, presented the designation to city…

Ever wonder how your local engineers determine how wide to make your bike lane? Have you pondered why your local planners made your bike path the width that it is?…