Research reports related to the safety of bicycle riders. These can be accessed via the links below.
Bicycle Helmet Research
Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- This Australian study from 2017 collated data from more than 60,000 bike crashes around the world and found that bicycle helmets reduce injury significantly.
- Conducted by the University of NSW, the study found that wearing a helmet reduced the risk of head injury by 51%, serious head injuries by 69% and facial injuries by 33%.
- Authors and Australian Statisticians Jake Oliver and Prudence Creighton found that these results support the use of strategies to increase the uptake of bicycle helmets as part of a comprehensive cycling safety plan.
View the Bicycle injuries and helmet use: a systematic review and meta-analysis publication.
Bicycle helmets – To wear or not to wear? A meta-analyses of the effects of bicycle helmets on injuries
- Results of a meta-analysis of helmet use conducted by Høye in 2018 supported the significant reductions in head and face injury observed in the 2017 study by Oliver and Creighton.
- The systematic review of 55 studies also found that helmet use reduced the risk of traumatic brain injury by 53% and the total number of killed or seriously injured cyclists by 34%.
- Protective effects of helmets on head injury were found to be greater when helmet use was mandatory.
View the abstract and full citation.
Recommend or mandate? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of mandatory bicycle helmet legislation
- Another Australian meta-analysis by Høye in 2018 found that the introduction of mandatory bicycle helmet legislation for all cyclists reduced head injuries by 20% and serious head injuries by 55%.
- Protective effects were larger for children when mandatory helmet legislation applied to all cyclists than when it applied only to children.
View the abstract and full citation.
CARRS-Q Bicycle Helmet Research
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q) undertook a thorough investigation of national and international evidence on helmet wearing in 2010.
View theCARRS-QBicycle Helmet Researchpublication.
Developing a Crash Prediction Model for Cyclists in Queensland
The Department of Transport and Main Roads engaged ARRB Group Ltd and BECA Group Ltd to develop crash prediction models for cyclists in Queensland. Crash prediction models can be used to inform decision making in the planning, design, management and operations of safe transport infrastructure. Crash prediction models can also be used to screen the network for locations requiring improvement or to investigate the effects of different design solutions on likely safety performance. The research found that only limited bicycle data is currently available for Queensland sites. The project developed models which built upon previous research by pooling available data from Queensland with data from Adelaide and Christchurch. Further work is required to validate the models to ensure a sufficient level of confidence for widespread application across Queensland.
Contacttraffic_engineering_support@tmr.qld.gov.au for further details.
Pedestrian-cyclist conflict minimisation on shared paths and footpaths
The project investigated developing best practice engineering, traffic management and urban design measures, and education and awareness strategies to minimise conflict and improve cyclist and pedestrian safety (perceived and actual) on shared paths and footpaths. The project included people in wheelchairs or using mobility aids, pedestrians with other types of disability including vision and hearing impairment, and people using wheeled recreational devices.
Austroads AP-R287-06 - Pedestrian-Cyclist Conflict Minimisation on Shared Paths and Footpaths
FAQs
Many factors influence the road safety. The most important factors are driver behaviour, construction and condition of the vehicle and condition of infrastructure.
What are the safety measures to be taken on the road? ›
Road Safety Tips and Facts
- Do not drink and drive. ...
- Obey the speed limit.
- Do not use cell phones when driving. ...
- Ensure the vehicle is in a roadworthy condition.
- Do simple vehicle maintenance and pre-trip inspections.
- Guard against distractions while driving. ...
- Ensure all vehicle occupants wear a seat belt.
State and local governments also ensure public safety on the roads. – They license drivers, patrol the roads, set speed limits, and inspect vehicles.
What is this road safety? ›
Road safety pertains to the measures taken to reduce the risk of road traffic injuries and death.
What does a safety factor of 1.5 mean? ›
A factor of safety of 1.5 means that a structure or component is designed to withstand 1.5 times its maximum expected load. This is done to allow a margin for uncertainties or errors in calculations and unexpected forces.
What is the minimum safety factor? ›
A safety factor less than 1 indicates that some sort of failure will occur (either permanent deformation or breakage). A safety factor of exactly 1.0 means that the actual stress equals the material strength limit, so the design is on the verge of failure.
What are 10 safety rules? ›
- Safety Rule #1 Know Your Name, Number and Address: ...
- Safety Rule #2 Do NOT Eat Anything Given By A Stranger: ...
- Safety Rule #3 Do NOT Climb the Fence: ...
- Safety Rule #4 Do NOT Walk out of the Yard Alone: ...
- Safety Rule #5 Playing Or Experimenting with Fire Is NOT Allowed: ...
- Safety Rule #6 Never Go Anywhere with A Stranger:
The major benefit to drivers of preventing crashes is avoiding significant and long-lasting personal costs resulting from injury or death. There are also financial benefits to safe driving, largely from avoiding crash consequences.
What type of government maintains roads? ›
Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America's roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.
What US state has the best maintained roads? ›
Home / Population and society / Articles / Which states have the best — and worst — road quality? Tennessee had the highest-quality roads in the US in 2020, with 94.6% of roads classified as “good” — only 5.4% of the state's roads are in poor condition.
Both the federal government and the states raise revenue for infrastructure spending through tax. es on motor fuel and vehicles. The states also collect fees from toll roads and other road charges.
When did road safety start? ›
In 1909, Germany introduced some of the world's first national traffic laws, together with a state driving test and license.
What is a factor of safety less than 1? ›
The factor of safety is the ratio of the allowable stress to the actual stress: A factor of safety of 1 represents that the stress is at the allowable limit. A factor of safety of less than 1 represents likely failure. A factor of safety of greater than 1 represents how much the stress is within the allowable limit.
What is the most important factor in any highway safety? ›
The most important factor in any highway safety program is the responsible citizen - driver: YOU. Since you are a consumer, drive a car, vote, and pay taxes, you being a consumer advocate. Your attitude about driving affects your making safe driving decisions while on the road.
What is the factor of safety for motor? ›
Most documentation and motor selection guides state that engineers should choose a safety factor of around 1.5 to 2.25. This refers to a multiplier for the amount of torque that the motor should supply and that the drive should be expected to output enough energy for.
What three criteria are factors of safety based? ›
Short Answer
Answer: The three main criteria for factors of safety in engineering systems are material strength, load magnitude and variability, and consequences of failure.
