More Bikes = More Safety

A new study confirms what Critical Mass riders have known all along- the more bicyclists on the road, the less likely it is that cyclists will get hit by a vehicle.

1 minute read

September 16, 2008, 12:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur

"And it's not simply because there are fewer cars on the roads, but because motorists seem to change their behaviour and drive more safely when they see more cyclists and pedestrians around.

Studies in many countries have shown consistently that the number of motorists colliding with walkers or cyclists doesn't increase equally with the number of people walking or bicycling. For example, a community that doubles its cycling numbers can expect a one-third drop in the per-cyclist frequency of a crash with a motor vehicle.

'It's a virtuous cycle,' says Dr Julie Hatfield, an injury expert from UNSW who address the seminar on September 5. 'The likelihood that an individual cyclist will be struck by a motorist falls with increasing rate of bicycling in a community. And the safer cycling is perceived to be, the more people are prepared to cycle.'"

FULL STORY: A virtuous cycle: safety in numbers for riders says research

Wednesday, September 3, 2008 in University of South Wales

Transportation World Bicycle Safety

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