More Bikes, Fewer Bike Accidents
David Schaich
Thought you might be interested in this brief report from the American
Institute of Physics's 18 September "Physics News Update",
http://www.aip.org/pnu/2008/872.html
+++
More Bikes, Fewer Bike Accidents
In a study that at first glance seems counterintuitive, researchers at
the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia reviewed safety
studies from 17 countries and 68 cities in California and found that the
more people bike in a community, the less they collide with motorists.
"It appears that motorists adjust their behavior in the presence of
increasing numbers of people bicycling because they expect or experience
more people cycling," said Julie Hatfield, an injury expert from the
university.
With fewer accidents, people perceive cycling as safer, so more people
cycle, thus making it even safer, she said. "Rising cycling rates mean
motorists are more likely to be cyclists, and therefore be more
conscious of, and sympathetic towards, cyclists," she said. Safety
experts said the decrease in accidents that comes with an increase in
cycling is independent of improvements in cycling-friendly laws and
better infrastructure such as bike paths. The safety studies reviewed
were from Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, 14 other European
countries, and 68 cities in California. Although the review focused on
bicycling, it appears that the more is safer rule also applies to
pedestrians, Hatfield said.
+++
There's a longer press release from UNSW at
http://www.science.unsw.edu.au/news/a-virtuous-cycle-safety-in-numbers-for-riders-says-research/
Cheers,
David
physics.bu.edu/~schaich/
Chris of Health adVentures
last week! Chris D. (A-Bbikes)
On Sep 19, 1:02 am, David Schaich <dascha...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> Thought you might be interested in this brief report from the American
> +++
> More Bikes, Fewer Bike Accidents
>
> In a study that at first glance seems counterintuitive, researchers at
> the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia reviewed safety
> studies from 17 countries and 68 cities in California and found that the
> more people bike in a community, the less they collide with motorists.
> "It appears that motorists adjust their behavior in the presence of
> increasing numbers of people bicycling because they expect or experience
> more people cycling," said Julie Hatfield, an injury expert from the
> university.
>
> With fewer accidents, people perceive cycling as safer, so more people
> cycle, thus making it even safer, she said. "Rising cycling rates mean
> motorists are more likely to be cyclists, and therefore be more
> conscious of, and sympathetic towards, cyclists," she said. Safety
> experts said the decrease in accidents that comes with an increase in
> cycling is independent of improvements in cycling-friendly laws and
> better infrastructure such as bike paths. The safety studies reviewed
> were from Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, 14 other European
> countries, and 68 cities in California. Although the review focused on
> bicycling, it appears that the more is safer rule also applies to
> pedestrians, Hatfield said.
> +++
>
>
> Cheers,
> David
> physics.bu.edu/~schaich/
David Schaich
| Subject: | Re: [friendsofBUbikes] More Bikes, Fewer Bike Accidents |
|---|---|
| Date: | Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:02:09 -0400 |
| From: | Janie Katz-Christy |
| To: | David Schaich |
Evidently, though I get their emails, I am not part of friendsofbubikes. Is there any chance you can forward this letter? Thanks!
Janie
Great article.
I hope you all know about next Friday's, and the last Friday of every month, Walk/Ride Days. Walk/Ride Days were developed for this very purpose - to increase safety by increasing the numbers of cyclists on the roads. As Dr. Rissel says in the article, "highlight the fun, convenience and health and environmental benefits of cycling", which is exactly what we're trying to do! Our vision is a city-wide green celebration, once a month! (Of course, once people try it, they go green many times throughout the month!)
So, please go green and wear green in solidarity with us that day, and be rewarded by businesses throughout the region! Free ice cream and more!
Also, we'd love volunteers who'd like to help us spread the word!
Janie Katz-Christy
www.GoGreenStreets.org