Study Looks at Bike Crash Risk at Intersections

By Charles Pekow – Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new way to determine bicycle and pedestrian crash risk at both intersections and mid-block. They say using their methodology can help planners mitigate risks to both groups. What makes matters more complicated is that many factors go into the equation (the most obvious being the number of people using the roads) and that the factors determining danger differ for cyclists and pedestrians.
The researchers used their method in Minneapolis and found that low-income and minority neighborhoods fared worst. When armed with the data, planners can take action. The study points out that historical data won’t tell you everything: it found the same risk factors at locations with no crashes as those with a history of them.
Note: the research was done in a large city and factors may differ in other communities.
Look at the report at: http://www.cts.umn.edu/Publications/ResearchReports/reportdetail.html?id=2804