Motorist Aggression is Top Barrier to Cycling
Motorist aggression is the top barrier to riding a bike, according to a systematic review of barriers and enablers to riding a bike by Australian academics. It was tweeted by one of the researchers, Dr Ben Beck.
The research looked at 45 papers and reports, and found 34 barriers and 21 enablers to cycling.
Barriers
The leading barriers are related to riding on the road alongside motor vehicles. The top three are:
- Motorist aggression
- Lack of high-quality bike lanes
- Perceived risk of injury
Dr Beck’s tweet includes some comments made by individuals in the studies reviewed:
‘I would not ride a bike with small kid in a trailer or child seat on the main roads…It is too dangerous in my mind, even though I always ride on main roads when I am alone.’
quote from a study reviewed by the australian academics
‘I don’t feel safe at the moment, I know a few people, parents or whatever who have been hit by or killed by cars in bike accidents…you are not protected like you are in a car.’
quote from a study reviewed by the australian academics
Many of the leading barriers could be overcome by the provision of high-quality protected infrastructure for bike riders.
Enablers
Key enablers include:
- Infrastructure (protected bike lanes)
- Fun and enjoyment
- Environmental benefits
- An economical means of transport