Presentation to Saskatoon Traffic Safety Committee

Cycling News

Presentation to
The Traffic Safety Committee
City of Saskatoon

Presented by Darrell Noakes
President, Borealis Outdoor Adventure Inc.
Vice-President, Recreation and Transportation, Saskatchewan Cycling Association
June 7, 1994

Traffic Safety Issues and Cyclists

Cycling skill is the most important factor in cyclist safety. Skilled, knowledgeable cyclists ride with greater confidence and safety. For this reason, cyclist education - rather than enforcement, engineering or legislation - has the greatest impact on cyclist safety. However, effective cycling policy includes all four of these components.

The basic tenent of traffic cycling safety

Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles
- John Forester

To perform effectively in the transportation system, cyclists need the same access to roadways as other vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights and share the same responsibilities as other users of the road network.

Use of special lanes restricted to cyclist traffic (bike lanes) is a leading cause of the second and third most common types of car-bike collision (overtaking vehicle making right turn into path of cyclist and cyclist making left turn into path of overtaking vehicle, respectively).

Facilities which segregate cyclist traffic from other vehicular traffic (bicycle paths and multi-use trails) are among the most dangerous places for cyclists. Bicycle paths lead to greater conflict (and potential for injury) with other users of the facility and increase (rather than decrease) the likelihood of serious car-bike collisions.

The role of education

Cyclist education increases cyclists' knowledge of their responsibilities as operators of vehicles and improves their ability to ride properly in traffic situations. Started at an early age, cycling education teaches skills necessary for safe and effective operation of any vehicle - properly trained cyclists are also better drivers.

Eighty-five percent of cyclist injury and traffic conflict is caused by cyclist error. Cycling education can reduce the incidence of accidents caused by cyclist error.

Cycling education teaches the skills to prevent situations which lead to traffic conflict and accidents, to avoid incipient accidents and to minimize risk of injury in accidents that can't be avoided.

Educating motorists about cyclists can reduce traffic conflict even more.

The role of enforcement

As operators of vehicles, cyclists are expected to obey traffic rules. Most collisions and traffic conflicts result from cyclists disobeying traffic rules or riding unpredictably.

In the absence of education, cyclists learn by observing other cyclists. If cyclists observe that the rules of the road are not enforced in the case of cyclists, they believe that the rules do not apply to cyclists (and may also believe that their bicycles are not considered vehicles). Creation of special rules for cyclists increases any confusion or mis-beliefs about cyclists and results in greater traffic conflict by making cyclists less, rather than more, predictable in the traffic flow.

Existing traffic rules apply to cyclists in the same way they apply to operators of other vehicles. Enforcement reinforces the concept of the bicycle as a vehicle.

The role of engineering

Bicycles are easily capable of travelling at traffic speeds, especially on downtown streets. They can blend effectively into traffic flow. On higher speed roadways, cyclists travel slower than motor vehicle traffic and are treated the same as any slower moving vehicle on the roadways.

A bicycle safely occupies a space about 2.0 - 2.5 metres wide: 0.5 m for the bicycle and its occupant; 1.0 m for its minimum safe travelling distance from the curb (both for visibility at intersections and to avoid common road hazards at the side of the road); and 0.5 - 1.0 m for normal handling, safe passing distance for overtaking vehicles and hazard avoidance (such as pot holes and pavement cracks). Effective and skilled cyclists take this riding space into account when selecting lane position.

Good road design - including shoulders - allows cyclists and motor vehicles to safely share the road. On city streets, where shoulders are often narrow or do not exist, cyclists claim the full lane-width, as they are legally entitled to do. In general, roadways designed for use by automobiles can be effectively used by cyclists. Certainly, cyclists fare better on roadways than on any other facility (such as sidewalks, bike lanes or bike paths).

Certain features of the roadway may create additional hazard for cyclists. These include orientation of drain grates, placement and composition of lines on the road, and railway crossings. These hazards pose a higher risk in wet weather.

The condition of the roadway also affects cyclists' interaction with traffic. Rough road surfaces divert cyclist attention from surrounding traffic (as well as diverting drivers' attentions from surrounding cyclists) and make it unsafe for cyclists to release their grip on the handlebars to signal properly (although other clues presented by cyclists alert motorists to cyclists' intentions).

Obstructions which limit visibility at intersections create hazards for cyclists as well as motorists. On bicycle paths, common landscaping features (such as bushes and trees or curving pathways) designed to enhance pedestrians' experiences obstruct cyclists' views and present increased risks to cyclists and other trail users alike.

The role of legislation

Legislation which governs the behaviour of all vehicular traffic applies equally to cyclists. In almost all cases, this general legislation, including municipal bylaws, is adequate. Legislation which singles out cyclists in effect creates different rules of the road for some vehicle operators than for others, resulting in unpredictable behaviour and traffic conflict.

Legislative solutions to traffic problems are most effective when applied equitably to all users of the transportation system and when a solid statistical or scientific basis exists for a need for legislation. Too often, well-meaning legislation aimed at cyclists restricts their legal rights of access to public roadways and, ironically, increases potential for conflict and risk of injury.

- 30 -

News index page

Borealis Outdoor Adventure
Home Page

Cycling News
Presentation to The Traffic Safety Committee City of Saskatoon Presented by Darrell Noakes President, Borealis Outdoor Adventure Inc. Vice-President, Recreation and Transportation, Saskatchewan Cycling Association June 7, 1994 Traffic Safety Issues and Cyclists Cycling skill is the most important factor in cyclist safety. Skilled, knowledgeable cyclists ride with greater confidence and safety. For this reason, cyclist education - rather than enforcement, engineering or legislation - has the greatest impact on cyclist safety. However, effective cycling policy includes all four of these components. The basic tenent of traffic cycling safety Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles - John Forester To perform effectively in the transportation system, cyclists need the same access to roadways as other vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights and share the same responsibilities as other users of the road network. Use of special lanes restricted to cyclist traffic (bike lanes) is a leading cause of the second and third most common types of car-bike collision (overtaking vehicle making right turn into path of cyclist and cyclist making left turn into path of overtaking vehicle, respectively). Facilities which segregate cyclist traffic from other vehicular traffic (bicycle paths and multi-use trails) are among the most dangerous places for cyclists. Bicycle paths lead to greater conflict (and potential for injury) with other users of the facility and increase (rather than decrease) the likelihood of serious car-bike collisions. The role of education Cyclist education increases cyclists' knowledge of their responsibilities as operators of vehicles and improves their ability to ride properly in traffic situations. Started at an early age, cycling education teaches skills necessary for safe and effective operation of any vehicle - properly trained cyclists are also better drivers. Eighty-five percent of cyclist injury and traffic conflict is caused by cyclist error. Cycling education can reduce the incidence of accidents caused by cyclist error. Cycling education teaches the skills to prevent situations which lead to traffic conflict and accidents, to avoid incipient accidents and to minimize risk of injury in accidents that can't be avoided. Educating motorists about cyclists can reduce traffic conflict even more. The role of enforcement As operators of vehicles, cyclists are expected to obey traffic rules. Most collisions and traffic conflicts result from cyclists disobeying traffic rules or riding unpredictably. In the absence of education, cyclists learn by observing other cyclists. If cyclists observe that the rules of the road are not enforced in the case of cyclists, they believe that the rules do not apply to cyclists (and may also believe that their bicycles are not considered vehicles). Creation of special rules for cyclists increases any confusion or mis-beliefs about cyclists and results in greater traffic conflict by making cyclists less, rather than more, predictable in the traffic flow. Existing traffic rules apply to cyclists in the same way they apply to operators of other vehicles. Enforcement reinforces the concept of the bicycle as a vehicle. The role of engineering Bicycles are easily capable of travelling at traffic speeds, especially on downtown streets. They can blend effectively into traffic flow. On higher speed roadways, cyclists travel slower than motor vehicle traffic and are treated the same as any slower moving vehicle on the roadways. A bicycle safely occupies a space about 2.0 - 2.5 metres wide: 0.5 m for the bicycle and its occupant; 1.0 m for its minimum safe travelling distance from the curb (both for visibility at intersections and to avoid common road hazards at the side of the road); and 0.5 - 1.0 m for normal handling, safe passing distance for overtaking vehicles and hazard avoidance (such as pot holes and pavement cracks). Effective and skilled cyclists take this riding space into account when selecting lane position. Good road design - including shoulders - allows cyclists and motor vehicles to safely share the road. On city streets, where shoulders are often narrow or do not exist, cyclists claim the full lane-width, as they are legally entitled to do. In general, roadways designed for use by automobiles can be effectively used by cyclists. Certainly, cyclists fare better on roadways than on any other facility (such as sidewalks, bike lanes or bike paths). Certain features of the roadway may create additional hazard for cyclists. These include orientation of drain grates, placement and composition of lines on the road, and railway crossings. These hazards pose a higher risk in wet weather. The condition of the roadway also affects cyclists' interaction with traffic. Rough road surfaces divert cyclist attention from surrounding traffic (as well as diverting drivers' attentions from surrounding cyclists) and make it unsafe for cyclists to release their grip on the handlebars to signal properly (although other clues presented by cyclists alert motorists to cyclists' intentions). Obstructions which limit visibility at intersections create hazards for cyclists as well as motorists. On bicycle paths, common landscaping features (such as bushes and trees or curving pathways) designed to enhance pedestrians' experiences obstruct cyclists' views and present increased risks to cyclists and other trail users alike. The role of legislation Legislation which governs the behaviour of all vehicular traffic applies equally to cyclists. In almost all cases, this general legislation, including municipal bylaws, is adequate. Legislation which singles out cyclists in effect creates different rules of the road for some vehicle operators than for others, resulting in unpredictable behaviour and traffic conflict. Legislative solutions to traffic problems are most effective when applied equitably to all users of the transportation system and when a solid statistical or scientific basis exists for a need for legislation. Too often, well-meaning legislation aimed at cyclists restricts their legal rights of access to public roadways and, ironically, increases potential for conflict and risk of injury. - 30 - News index page

Borealis Outdoor Adventure Home Page

Presentation to The Traffic Safety Committee City of Saskatoon

Presentation to
The Traffic Safety Committee
City of Saskatoon