Study shows bicycle-friendly cities are safer for all road users even drivers

There are many reasons why safe cycling infrastructure in urban areas is a good thing. It’s good for the local economy, our environment, health, and, of course, it keeps those on the bicycles safe. Turns out, that’s not the end of it. Cities with vibrant biking scenes often boast safer streets for everyone. According to Nicholas N. Ferenchak and Wesley E. Marshall, authors of a groundbreaking study, this connection is no fluke.

“Cities with high levels of bicycling tend to be some of the safest cities for all road users,” Marshall wrote.

The study examined 14 small and mid-sized U.S. cities, each with populations ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 residents. First, the researchers chose seven cities characterized by high rates of bicycle commuting, labeling them as high-bicycling cities. Subsequently, they matched each high-bicycling city with a paired comparison city. These comparison cities were selected based on their lower or average rates of bicycle commuting, yet shared similar traits with the high-bicycling cities, including overall population size, regional location, and proximity to major universities or large urban centers.

Boulder, CO, Corvallis, OR, and Davis, CA, are prime examples. Despite having many cyclists, they maintain low overall traffic fatality rates.

“Between 2015 and 2019, overall traffic fatality rates per 100,000 residents in these cities were 2.1, 2.8, and 1.4, respectively,” Marshall wrote.

The study dives deep into the factors behind this safety paradox, and the conclusions pointed at the importance of cyclists on city streets.

“Cities with high bicycling rates tend to be safer for both bicyclists and all road users,” Ferenchak explained. They find that denser urban environments, where streets are bustling and compact, are safer. “More compact cities were significantly associated with better road safety outcomes.”

The study noted that pedestrian fatalities in paired comparison cities (the non-cycling cities) were 193.8% higher than in high-bicycling cities,

Yet, beneath the surface lies a troubling truth — available bicycle infrastructure and hence more safety is not always distributed equitably and there are consequences.

“Areas with lower incomes and larger non-White populations see more road fatalities,” the study revealed.

The study also noted that in most cases there were not enough bicyclist fatalities to be statistically relevant, but there were enough pedestrian fatalities.

“While we would assume that they would also be safer for bicyclists, sample sizes were too small and exposure data was lacking, precluding a definitive conclusion on bicyclist safety,” they wrote.

When cities have fewer cars, more people might prefer biking and walking and this positive feedback loop could in turn cause an increase in cycling and walking that could then lead to even fewer cars on the road. As the number of cars decreases, everyone using the roads could be safer. Likewise, denser cities, where everything is closer together, may encourage more walking and biking because it’s easier to get around.

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.

As cities strive to promote active transportation while ensuring safety, insights from this study are invaluable. They illuminate the path to cities where getting more people to shift transportation modes and road safety go hand in hand.

“If cities wish to improve their traffic safety outcomes, they should first and foremost plan and design for the convenience and safety of those not using a personal automobile,” the study concludes.