The general question of this study is whether it is safer to let moped riders drive on the carriageway instead of on the cycle track, within built-up areas. The study evaluates the 'moped on the carriageway' measure tested in three Dutch municipalities in November 1991: Apeldoorn, The Hague, and Tiel. Using behavioural observations this evaluation was carried out as a before and after study. The main results of the study were as follows: (1) There were more encounters between moped riders and other road users in the after study, but the number of encounters with hindrance appeared to be about the same; (2) The most hindrance appeared to take place, when moped riders or "snorfietsers" were using the cycle track (63%), but the hindrance on the carriageway seemed to be slightly more dangerous; (3) In the after study, 15% of the moped riders, who were supposed to drive on the carriageway, used the cycle track; (4) The measure did not have any influence on the average speed of car traffic; and (5) the estimated speed of moped riders increased in the after study compared with the before study. The results of the study show that attention should be paid to the speed behaviour of moped riders, when they are driving on the carriageway, using the cycle track (63%).
Samenvatting