Bicycles in local traffic areas

Bicycle accidents in local traffic areas are an underrated safety problem. 87 Per cent of 5-8 year old accident involved cyclists and 54 per cent of 9-12 year old accident involved cyclists in a one year study came to grief in local traffic areas. Local area traffic management is now a well established principle and has been introduced by many municipalities, throughout Australia, in varying degrees. The results of several studies of the effectiveness of local area traffic management schemes are given. Such schemes, in general, increase safety for cyclists and pedestrians in the local traffic areas. However, with more attention to design detail, these schemes could do much more in terms of safety and accessibility for cyclists. This paper divides the range of local area treatments into six categories and then proceeds to address the design considerations necessary to improve cyclist safety within each. This allows easy reference to, and recognition of, the types of treatments available. Examples are given of what can be done to enhance cyclist safety and accessibility in local traffic areas and the paper concludes with the request that municipal engineers give specific attention to the accessibility and safety needs of cyclists in local traffic areas.