Study Details

Study Title: The Effect of Cycle Lanes on Cycling Numbers and Safety

Authors: Koorey and Parsons

Publication Date: 2016

Abstract: Marked on-road cycle lanes are a relatively inexpensive means of providing for cycling; however, their use has been questioned in terms of both their safety and their effectiveness in attracting more people to take up cycling. While both questions have been previously researched, the findings were rather inconclusive. A recent research project in Christchurch, New Zealand investigated the relative effects on cycle count and crash numbers of installing a series of cycle lanes. Twelve routes installed in Christchurch during the mid-2000s were analyzed, together with some control routes that already had cycle lanes. Cycle count data from a series of route locations and dates were used to establish cycling trends before and after installation. These were also compared against cycle crash numbers along these routes during the same periods. The results generally show no consistent "step" increase in cycling numbers immediately following installation of cycle lanes, with some increasing and decreasing. Changes on cycling growth rates were more positive, although it is clear that other wider trends such as motor traffic growth are having an effect. Taking into account the control routes and relative changes in volumes, the study also found notable reductions in cycle crashes following installation, typically with a 23% average reduction in crash rates. However, this reduction was not statistically significant at the 95% level.

Study Citation: Koorey, G., and Parsons, J., "The Effect of Cycle Lanes on Cycling Numbers and Safety." Presented at the 95th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C., (2016).


CMFs Associated With This Study

Category: Bicyclists

Countermeasure: Install bicycle lanes

CMF CRF(%)QualityCrash TypeCrash SeverityRoadway TypeArea Type
0.77232 StarsVehicle/bicycleAllAllNot specified