An American study shows that the more cyclists there are on the road, the higher the safety for everyone

Safe cycling infrastructure in cities is beneficial for many reasons. It’s good for the local economy, the environment, and health, and, of course, it protects cyclists. Streets with a lot of cycling are safer for everyone. According to Nicholas Ferenchak and Wesley Marshall, authors of a groundbreaking study, this is no coincidence.

“Cities with high levels of bicycling tend to be some of the safest cities for all road users,” writes Marshall from the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado Denver.

The study, published in January 2024 in the Journal of Cycling and Micromobility Research, examined 14 small and mid-sized American cities with populations ranging from 50,000 to 200,000. First, the researchers selected seven cities with high bicycle commuting rates, labeling them as high-bicycling cities. They then compared each of these cities to a city with lower or average bicycle commuting rates, ensuring that the comparison cities shared similar characteristics, such as population size, regional location, and proximity to major universities or large urban areas.

The Apparent Safety Paradox

Cities like Boulder, Colorado; Corvallis, Oregon; and Davis, California, serve as examples. Despite a high number of cyclists, these cities maintain low traffic fatality rates. “Between 2015 and 2019, the overall traffic fatality rates per 100,000 residents in these cities were 2.1, 2.8, and 1.4,” the authors state. The study delves into the factors behind this apparent safety paradox, with conclusions highlighting the crucial role of cyclists on city streets.

Rome. Traffic chaos where cyclists also have their place

“Cities with high levels of bicycling tend to be safer for both cyclists and all other road users,” explained Ferenchak, who works at the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Together, the researchers found that denser urban environments, where streets are lively and compact, are safer. “Compact cities were significantly associated with better road safety outcomes.”

Unequal Distribution of Infrastructure

The study also noted that pedestrian fatalities in the comparison cities (the non-cycling cities) were 193.8% higher than in high-bicycling cities. It revealed that the availability of cycling infrastructure, and thus greater safety, is not always distributed equitably across cities, leading to serious consequences. “Areas with lower incomes and a higher percentage of non-White populations experience more traffic fatalities,” it notes.

Leipzig. Imagine a city where you can send your children to school by bike

It makes sense that in cities with fewer cars, more people may prefer cycling and walking. The more people move on foot or by bike, the safer the city becomes for all users of the transportation infrastructure. The study suggests that cities built for cars—characterized by long distances and wide roads—will continue to attract more motorists. However, in our context, we see quite the opposite; our cities are dense, with compact neighborhoods and narrow streets, into which we are trying to force cars at all costs.

“If cities wish to improve road safety, they should primarily plan and design their streets with the comfort and safety of those who do not use a personal automobile in mind,” the study concludes.

Do you like what we do at AutoMat? Support us and donate to AutoMat any amount. Thank you!