Motorists drive closer to cyclists in cycle lanes

摘要

Research conducted at the University of Leeds shows that motorists give cyclists less room when there is a cycle lane. Using a bicycle equipped to measure the distance of passing vehicles Ciaran Meyers, a postgraduate at the University's Institute for Transport Studies and his supervisor Dr John Firkin, undertook the study on roads with and without cycle lanes. The results show that when there is a cycle lane, motorists are less likely to provide a safe and comfortable passing distance to the cyclist. Ciaran, now a transport planner at Arup in Leeds, said: 'The analysis shows that significantly wider passing distances are adopted by motorists on a 9.5 metre wide carriageway without a 1.45 metre cycle lane with posted spee d limits of 40mph and 50mph".