Bicycle Safety Webinar December 1 st 2010

Bicycle Safety Webinar December 1 st 2010

Kay Teschke Kay Teschke is Professor in the Schools of Population and Public Health and of Environmental Health at the University of British Columbia. She is principal investigator of a program of research, "Cycling in Cities," on the effects of transportation infrastructure on choices to cycle and cycling injuries. Her other research focuses on exposure assessment for epidemiological studies and determinants of exposure injuries in heavy industry, and water quality and gastrointestinal illnesses. She received her academic training in environmental health at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Washington in Seattle.

The Role of Environmental Support for Bicycle Safety December 1, 2010 Presented by Kay Teschke

motivating cycling in Canada Kay Teschke School of Population and Public Health The University of British Columbia www.cher.ubc.ca/cyclingincities/ 11

cycling modal share: North America vs. Europe % of trips by bicycle (Source: Pucher & Dijkstra American Journal of Public Health 2003:93:1509-16) 12

cycling motivators and deterrents 15

focus group prioritization Rank Factor Priority score 1 Bike facilities 50 2 Traffic 25 3 The street network 17 4 Topography 16 5 Environment en-route 12 6 Distance 9 7 Neighbourhood land use 4 8 Population density 2 16

cycling in cities survey paved off-street cycle paths for bikes only 85% likely to choose paved off-street multi-use paths 77% likely to choose route preferences: top 5 of 16 unpaved off-street multi-use paths 71% likely to choose cycle paths next to major city streets separated by a barrier 71% likely to choose residential street bicycle routes with traffic calming 65% likely to choose 17

cycling in cities survey major streets with parked cars 71% unlikely to choose major city streets with no parked cars 70% unlikely to choose route preferences: bottom 5 rural road with no paved shoulder 61% unlikely to choose rural road with paved shoulder 49% unlikely to choose major streets with bike symbols and parked cars 48% unlikely to choose 18

cycling in cities survey route use vs. route preference Note: legend in order of likelihood of choosing 19

cycling in cities survey differences in preference: by type of cyclist 20

cycling in cities survey differences in preference: by other factors no difference by - city of residence: Vancouver vs. other cities in the Metro area - level of education - low vs. high income differences by - age group: but no clear pattern - sex: ratings are not different for high preference routes, but women are less likely to choose the low preference routes - children in the household: ratings are not different for high preference routes, but those with children are less likely to choose the low preference routes 21

cycling in cities survey other motivators and deterrents? route ease & enjoyment away from air pollution or traffic noise beautiful scenery away from traffic for entire distance flat travel time shorter than other modes safety ice & snow car, bus & truck traffic glass or debris vehicles driving faster than 50 km/h motorists who don t know how to drive safely near bikes 22

cycling in cities survey implications for planning: people don t need special designs for each type of cyclist - everyone gives similar rankings to the route types and design features best to avoid expenditures on low preference routes - they won t encourage more cycling, since they have negative scores from occasional cyclists, women, and people with children 23

cycling in cities survey implications for planning: routes 3 main route types to encourage cycling: off-road paths: paved & for cyclists only major streets: paths separated from motor vehicle lanes by a curb or other barrier residential streets: marked for cycling & with traffic calming 24

Motivators and Deterrents FACTOR INFLUENCE The route is away from traffic noise & air pollution 0.79 The route has beautiful scenery 0.70 The route has bicycle paths separated from traffic for the entire distance 0.69 The route is flat 0.61 Cycling to the destination takes less time than traveling by other modes 0.59 The distance to your destination is less than 5 km 0.53 You can make the trip in daylight hours I 0.50 You can take your bike on the SkyTrain at any time V A 0.50 A 2-way off-street bike path has a reflective centre line for night & poor weather cycling T 0.49 The destination has secure indoor bike storage O 0.49 The route has bike signage, pavement markings & bike activated signals on residential streets R 0.47 S The destination has covered bike racks, to protect from rain 0.47 Information about cycling routes to the destination is available 0.46 The bus has racks that carry bikes 0.45 A web-based trip-planning tool is available 0.45 The destination has outdoor bike racks 0.42 There is a consistent type of bike lane marking throughout the greater Vancouver area 0.41 There are secure bike lockers at transit stations 0.41 The route is wide enough for cyclists to ride side-by-side 0.40 The destination has a place to store a change of clothing 0.38 The route has on-road bicycle lanes on major roads for the entire distance 0.36 Traffic calming on designated bike routes reduces the number of cars using the route 0.36 The destination has a place to dry your cycling gear 0.36 The bike lane has a different colour pavement than the road 0.35 You would be eligible to receive prizes or discounts such as savings on bike gear 0.35 There are shops, banks, & grocery stores along the route 0.34 The destination has showers 0.34 The route has push-button-activated traffic signals for cyclists & pedestrians only 0.30 There are bike racks at transit stations 0.30 Inexpensive or free short courses are available to help you learn how to fix your bike 0.30 A bicycle is stenciled every 75 m (250 ft) along the route 0.28 The destination has bike repair facilities 0.28 The destination has rental bike lockers 0.27 A solid white line is painted on both sides of the lane separating it from moving cars & from parked cars 0.26 Inexpensive or free short courses are available to help you improve your cycling skills 0.24 You are making the trip with other people 0.18 M OT