Cities alongside Protected Bicycle Lanes Have Lower Car Accident Rates, Study Says
Protected bike lanes are designed to forestall traffic accidents involving cyclists and motor vehicles. According to a recent article in Popular Science, a novel written report conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado-Denver suggests that protected cycle lanes really make more than but preclude bike crashes. Cities that accept protected bike lanes take an overall reduced charge per unit of motor vehicle collisions, whether or not these collisions call for cyclists. However, it is of import to empathise that the term “protected bicycle lane” for purposes of the NSC research, way wheel lanes alongside physical barriers. In brusk, “painted lines don’t do much adept, only physical barriers might brand roads safer for everyone.”
The article reports that more than xl,000 people are killed inward motor vehicle collisions each yr, including bicyclists together with pedestrians, in addition to millions are injured. However, according to Wesley Marshall, one of the authors of the written report, more or less cities but are safer when it comes to motorcar accident rates overall. Those cities are places amongst protected cycle lanes, too they tend to have a substantial issue of cyclists. As Marshall clarifies, “even though cycling is dangerous for cyclists, cities that have a larger proportion of cyclists tend to have safer roads overall—for pedestrians and drivers, likewise.”
In lodge to decide why cities alongside higher proportions of cyclists are safer—amongst fewer overall motor vehicle collisions—the researchers analyzed data from 2000-2012 from a broad variety of major U.due south. cities too urban areas. Marshall ultimately was surprised to acquire what cities with lower rates of motor vehicle crashes have inwards mutual — their infrastructure is built about cyclists. He plant that only having more cyclists in a urban center does non make the city safer, simply when the urban center has rebuilt or tailored its infrastructure to safeguard cyclists within protected bike lanes, the overall rates of traffic crash rates declined.
For protected cycle lanes to cut down motor vehicle accidents, they needed to take barriers. For example, divided wheel lanes that “put a planter betwixt bikes too cars” tin can be effective, as tin other physical barriers. Painted lines lone, nevertheless, make non aid. As Marshall underscores, “pigment doesn’t actually protect anybody.” Marshall believes that protected wheel lanes bring down the speed of motor vehicle traffic altogether, so reducing the charge per unit of collisions.
Preventing Motor Vehicle Collisions
Bicyclists together with pedestrians tin take steps to go on themselves safer on urban roads, only drivers besides have a duty to prevent collisions. An article inwards EHS Today recommends the following prophylactic tips for motorists to avoid motorcar accidents:
- Always pull out into traffic slow;
- Check for traffic, pedestrians, too bicyclists inwards all mirrors;
- Be aware that people go ruby-red lights, too count to 3 earlier proceeding through a lite that has only turned light-green;
- Always go along at to the lowest degree ane manus on the steering wheel at all times;
- Be aware of pocket-sized children anytime y'all are inwards a parking lot, pulling into or out of a driveway, or inward a residential or school surface area;
- Have your vehicle maintained regularly;
- Look behind y'all earlier yous dorsum upwardly or out—do not rely on your mirrors alone;
- Never tailgate other vehicles; too
- Be courteous on the road.
Anyone who has been injured in a motor vehicle collision should verbalise amongst a car accident attorney almost filing a claim.
