This paper presents some results of a three-year research programme by the Danish Road Directorate on the safety of cyclists in urban areas. The project includes the following themes, concerned with evaluating existing geometric designs, or testing and evaluating new designs, for the safety of cyclists in urban traffic: (1) safety of painted cycle lanes in urban areas; (2) conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians at bus stops; (3) design of cycle tracks in the neighbourhood of signalised intersections; and (4) new road markings on cycle tracks at minor T-junctions. Cycle tracks were found to be safer than cycle lanes, which were in turn safer than roads without cycle facilities. Both profiled markings and modified zebra crossings should improve safety at bus stops, although the risk of serious cycle-pedestrian conflicts there was already very small. Seven signalised intersections were redesigned, to make them safer for cyclists. A new design of minor T-junction led to slightly reduced cyclist's speeds there, increased time distance between turning cars and cyclists, and increased number of motor vehicles giving way.
Samenvatting