Safety Audit Guidelines for Bikeway Systems: Purpose, Principles and Methodology

As an important component of active and sustainabletransportation, cycling is recognised as a legitimatetransportation mode. However, to be useful, bikewaysneed to provide cyclists using them with a high levelof safety. Unexpected changes in the horizontal andvertical geometry or cross-section of a bikeway arehazards to cyclists that can be minimised throughsafety audits. A safety audit of the existing bikeways in Calgary, Alberta was undertaken as a case study to determinethe relative safety of different bicycle facilities. Lateral and vertical clearance, sight distance, grades, street furniture, signage, bikeway width andquality were all reviewed as part of this audit. These design elements formed the basis of the safetyaudit as each has the potential to increase ordecrease the safety to a cyclist depending on thesituation. The principles and guidelines of whatconstitutes a comprehensive safety audit for bikewaysystems are outlined along with many examples of goodbikeways and unsafe situations. These guidelines should help anyone planningbikeways, reviewing bikeway safety, or undertakingthe safety audit, or review, of any existing orplanned bikeways.