It may seem paradoxical to some, but researchers at the University of South Whales in Australia shows that the more people that bicycle on the roads, the safer cyclists are. The study included research from cyclists in Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, 14 European countries and 68 Californian cities. Put briefly, the study concludes that the more cyclists there are on the road, the more likely that drivers will recognize them as part of the transportation system and be aware of their presence.
Dr. Julie Hatfield, an injury expert from UNSW, explains what she calls the "Virtuous Cycle" of more people biking in Science Daily,
"The likelihood that an individual cyclist will be struckby a motorist falls with increasing rate of bicycling in a community.And the safer cycling is perceived to be, the more people are preparedto cycle."
If we accept the researcher's findings that to improve cyclist safety we need to get more people cycling, it raises questions about the effects of advertising campaigns built around encouraging safe cycling. Remember the City of Los Angeles' award winning advertisement that compares cyclists to insects who need to be trained?
Dr. Chris Rissel, co-author of a 2008 report on cycling safety with Dr. Hatfield, tells Science Daily that these types of advertiesments help keep people off their bikes and make the streets more dangerous.
"We should create a cycling friendly environment and accentuatecycling's positives rather than stress negatives with 'safetycampaigns' that focus on cyclists without addressing drivers and roadconditions. Reminding people of injury rates and risks, to wear helmetsand reflective visible clothes has the unintended effect of reinforcingfears of cycling which discourages people from cycling."
Bike Month continues, Metro 91 Freeway widening, Destination Crenshaw, Culver City Bus, Santa Monica MANGo, Metro bike lockers, Metro Sepulveda Transit, and more
Short newly protected bike lane on Laurel Canyon Blvd, extensive NSFV bus improvements under construction this month, and scaled-back G Line plans should get that project under construction this summer