Getting in the way of (each other’s) progress : managing pedestrian-cyclist conflict on paths.

The interaction between pedestrians and cyclists is increasingly causing safety concerns, exacerbated by the use of wheeled recreational devices and mobility aids. Some of these concerns are real; others are perceived, but nevertheless important in terms of people's willingness to walk. The issue of conflict on paths may be becoming more serious as the number of people walking or cycling increases after a prolonged period of decline in many places, combined with a high level of reliance on shared facilities. This paper outlines the findings of a project funded by Austroads and managed by the Australian Bicycle Council and provides a guide to appropriate initiatives to recognise and minimise conflict. Some of the approaches developed directly relate to design or engineering approaches to minimising conflict; some relate to behavioural approaches, including regulation and enforcement; and others are based on the desirability of avoiding uncertainty for users. Individual approaches are based on current good practice and recent research, but this project brings them together in one place to facilitate their application by practitioners. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. 0612AR242E.