This paper describes a project undertaken to develop ranking procedures to prioritise projects designed to improve the ability of the road network to safely carry cyclists. The project involved reviewing current Australian policies and procedures, conducting a state of the art review of literature in the relevant fields and relating all information to Western Australian (WA) conditions. The work was completed with a focus on the WA Government's road safety strategy of providing safer roads for cyclists. The authors draw together the quantitative and qualitative aspects associated with cycling projects, whether they be benefits or costs. Within the quantitative assessment valuations are placed on: (1) the safety implications of reduced crashes, and a lower risk of crashes; (2) the benefits of any change in modal choice and the presence of new users through the associated health, operational and resource cost savings; (3) the benefits of reductions in bicycle theft that a facility may provide; and (4) the total cost of the project including planning, design, construction and maintenance of the new facility. From a qualitative perspective issues related to level of service, coherence and directness, attractiveness and comfort of the facility, safety, environment and health, strategic issues and the effect on other users are all catered for in an event tree analysis. The final ranking of projects is then completed using a combination of the quantitative and qualitative assessment results to provide a prioritised list of all cycling projects considered. (A)
Abstract