Comparative Analysis of Bicycle Lanes Versus Wide Curb Lanes. Final Report

摘要

This report is a comparative analysis of bicycle lanes (BLs) versus wide curb211u001elanes (WCLs). The primary analysis was based on videotapes of almost 4,600 211u001ebicyclists (2,700 riding in Bls and 1,900 in WCLs) in the cities of Santa 211u001eBarbara, CA, Gainesville, FL, and Austin, TX, as the bicyclists approached and 211u001erode through eight BL and eight WCL intersections with varying speed and traffic 211u001econditions. The intent was to videotape bicyclists who regularly ride in traffic. 211u001eThe videotapes were coded to learn about operational characteristics (e.g., 211u001eintersection approach position and subsequent maneuvers) and conflicts with motor 211u001evehicles, other bicycles, or pedestrians. A conflict was defined as an 211u001einteraction between a bicycle and motor vehicle, pedestrian, or other bicycle 211u001esuch that at least one of the parties had to change speed or direction to avoid 211u001ethe other. Both bicyclist and motorist maneuvers in conflict situations were 211u001ecoded and analyzed. This covered maneuvers such as a bicyclist moving incorrectly 211u001efrom the bicycle lane into the traffic lane prior to making a left turn, or 211u001econversely, a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist and then abruptly turning right 211u001eacross its path. Bicyclist experience data were also collected separately from 211u001ethe videotaping at each of the 16 data collection sites in each city through use 211u001eof a short oral survey. Slightly more than 2,900 surveys were completed. These 211u001edata were analyzed to learn about the age, riding habits, and experience levels 211u001eof the bicyclists riding through these intersections. Bicycle-motor vehicle crash 211u001edata were also analyzed to determine if there were parallels to the videotape 211u001edata.