Study: Bike Infrastructure Makes Roads Safer for All

A new study reveals that small and mid-sized cities with higher rates of bike commuting and bike-friendly infrastructure have fewer traffic fatalities, reports Ron Johnson on Momentum.

“The study dives deep into the factors behind this safety paradox, and the conclusions pointed at the importance of cyclists on city streets,” Johnson explains. Pedestrian deaths in cities with low cycling rates were 193.8 percent higher than in their counterpart cities.”The study also noted that in most cases there were not enough bicyclist fatalities to be statistically relevant, but there were enough pedestrian fatalities.”

According to the researchers, “Low density neighbourhoods and cities with wide roads will continue to attract more car users and make it difficult to create a shift in mode that will keep all road users safe, the study suggests. We need density, compact neighbourhoods, and narrow roads.”