Citation

Wachtel A, Lewiston D. ITE J. 1994; 64(9): 30-35.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Institute of Transportation Engineers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An estimated 650,000 people were treated in emergency rooms in 1992 for bicycle-related injuries, yet research into accident causes is very limited. This article describes a study of bicycle/motor vehicle collisions in Palo Alto, California. The study compares the personal characteristics/bicycling behavior of bicyclists involved in accidents and similar data for the general population of bicyclists traveling the same streets. Personal and behavioral variables include age, sex, direction of travel, and position on the road. Results reveal that bicyclists 18 years and older incur a greater risk of collision with motor vehicles than younger riders. No significant risk is associated with sex. Two other variables that incur greater risk is traveling against the direction of traffic and riding on a sidewalk or bike path. Also of note, intersections are the major point of conflict between bicycles and motor vehicles. The authors conclude that shared use of a well-designed road system leads to the fewest conflicts and accidents. Bicycles and motor vehicles should be integrated according to well-established and effective principles of traffic law and engineering.