This report is a comparative analysis of bicycle lanes (BLs) versus wide curb lanes (WCLs). The primary analysis was based on videotapes of almost 4,600 bicyclists (2,700 riding in BLs and 1,900 in WCLs) in the cities of Santa Barbara, California, Gainesville, Florida, and Austin, Texas, as the bicyclists approached and road through eight BL and eight WCL intersections with varying speed and traffic conditions. The intent was to videotape bicyclists who regularly ride in traffic. The videotapes were coded to learn about operational characteristics (e.g., intersection approach position and subsequent manoeuvres) and conflicts with motor vehicles, other bicycles, or pedestrians. A conflict was defined as an interaction between a bicycle and motor vehicle, pedestrian, or other bicycle such that at least one of the parties had to change speed or direction to avoid the other. Both bicyclist and motorist manoeuvres in conflict situations were coded and analysed. This covered manoeuvres such as a bicyclist moving incorrectly from the bicycle lane into the traffic lane prior to making a left turn, or conversely, a motor vehicle passing a bicyclist and then abruptly turning right across its path. Bicyclist experience data were also collected separately from the videotaping at each of the 16 data collection sites in each city through use of a short oral survey. Slightly more than 2,900 surveys were completed. These data were analysed to learn about the age, riding habits, and experience levels of the bicyclists riding through these intersections. Bicycle-motor vehicle crash data were also analysed to determine if there were parallels to the videotape data. (Author/publisher)
Abstract