Cyclist safety: an information resource for decision-makers and practitioners

Cyclist safety: an information resource for decision-makers and practitioners describes the magnitude of cyclist death and injury, the key risk factors, and effective interventions. The document stresses the importance of a comprehensive, holistic approach that includes legislation, enforcement and behavioural measures specifically for cyclists; design of the built environment; as well as integrating cyclist safety into overall road safety and transport strategies. It also draws attention to the benefits of cycling, which should be promoted as an important mode of transport given its potential to improve health and preserve the environment.

Every year about 41 000 cyclists are killed while cycling to school, work, a shopping centre, or home. This represents 3% of global road traffic deaths. Unlike cars, bicycles can easily become unbalanced and provide no protection in the event of a crash, allowing riders to come into direct contact with the road and other road users. Also unlike cars, bicycle use very rarely results in the death or injury of other road users.

A shift away from motorized transport towards sustainable transport – cycling, walking and public transport – is a commitment of Sustainable Development Goal 11, Target 11.2. It calls for cycling to be promoted and prioritized as an accessible means of transport for many people (for whole or parts of trips) and to improve the infrastructure for cycling, walking and public transport around the world. Such a shift means that cyclist safety must be placed at the heart of global road safety and be considered a key part of any transport and land-use planning framework. Such a framework must accommodate the needs of different modes of transport and address risk factors related to the road, vehicles and users.

While there are many barriers to cycling, people fear the risk of being in a crash and suffering an injury or death. Thus, reducing the totality of road traffic danger is important because the perception of risk on the roads can deter people from taking up cycling. Integrated transport and land-use planning framework can achieve this by enabling the design of a total system of safe cycling infrastructure. This approach has been taken in cities like Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany – a move that has resulted in cycling becoming the most common mode of transport.

The COVID-19-related reduction or closure of public transport services amid concerns about the proximity of passengers has resulted in a growing interest in cycling for different purposes in cities such as Bogotá, New York City and Paris. Bogotá and Paris responded to this challenge by allocating more space to cycle lanes and if this response is sustained beyond the pandemic it will represent a positive policy development.

This document provides an overview of the risk factors for cyclist safety, and interventions available to decision-makers and practitioners as they plan for cyclist and overall road safety programmes in different settings around the world. It complements other information resources and good practice manuals developed by the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO), the FIA Foundation and the Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) (8–15). This current resource was developed by an advisory committee of experts from the four collaborating agencies – FIA Foundation, GRSP, the World Bank and WHO. Countries can use this resource to review, adapt and promote cyclist and road safety policy in the most efficient way for varying political, ecological, economic, and social contexts.