Comparative Analysis of Traffic Accident Probability Based on Location and Bicycle Travel Direction Considering Number of Intersections between Origin and Destination for Bicycle Users

Abstract

The increased probability that bicycles traveling on the right side of a sidewalk will suffer accidents is seen as justification for regulating the location and direction of bicycle travel in Japan. However, this high traffic accident probability level exists primarily at intersections and is not indicative of the overall probability that cyclists will become involved in traffic accidents between their origin and destination points. This study compares traffic accident probability levels when provisions have been made to restrict bicycles the left side of a street with situations where bicycles are allowed to travel on both sides, taking into account the number of intersections traversed between origin and destination points. As results, traffic accident probability might be higher than when travel is allowed on both sides if bicycle travel restricted to the left side by the road network configuration in the target area.