Road Safety

Cycling forms an integral element of a transport system, and provides a genuine alternative travel choice to cars while contributing to healthier lifestyles. Many governments, including those in Australia and New Zealand, have set targets to increase the levels of cycling in their respective jurisdictions.

The provision of cycle facilities at intersections, especially traffic signals, is becoming more common across Australia and New Zealand, particularly in cities that are popular for cyclists. There is currently very little local research on the effectiveness of these facilities in terms of safety and cyclists’ perceptions. Research from New Zealand by Turner et al. (2009) indicates that there is a safety benefit of at least 10% by installing mid-block cycle lanes, and that the presence of other road features, such as flush medians, influence cycle safety. Turner also reviewed a number of international studies which indicated that the provision of cycle lanes reduce crashes by around 10% and the installation of an advanced limit line at intersections for cyclists (storage facility) reduces crashes by around 27%.