Bicycle Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System

Crash Type Analysis

Provided below are the definitions of the 14 crash groups included in the BIKESAFE application (13 are included in the interactive crash matrix). For any crash group, there are multiple problems or possible causes that may have led to the crash. The following section provides examples of a few possible causes and problems for each group and some of the countermeasures within BIKESAFE that may be applicable. Neither the list of problems and possible causes nor the suggested countermeasures are to be considered comprehensive. Practitioners will still be required to supplement the analysis and recommendations with their own investigations and knowledge of local policies and practices.

In addition to selecting countermeasures based on the crash problems or possible causes listed below, a matrix of performance objectives is also provided for practitioners to select appropriate countermeasures for consideration based on specific challenges at the study location.

1. Motorist Failed to Yield — Signalized Intersection

The motorist enters an intersection and fails to stop at a traffic signal, striking a bicyclist who is traveling through the intersection on a perpendicular path. Typically, no turning movements are made by either party, except for a possible right turn on red. Many of these crashes involve bicyclists who are riding the wrong way against traffic, either in the roadway or on the sidewalk approaching the intersection.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
Motorist drives through a red signal without stopping. The motorist could be speeding and unable to stop in time, trying to get through the intersection on a yellow or amber signal indication, disregarding the signal, or failing to see the red signal.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Reduce number of lanes
  3. Reduce lane width
  4. Install roundabouts
  5. Add/improve intersection markings
  6. Improve sight distance at intersection
  7. Install mini traffic circles
  8. Add chicanes or vertical traffic control measures to slow motor vehicle speeds
  9. Provide trail intersection treatments for shared-use paths crossing the roadway at the intersection
  10. Optimize signal timing or improve signal visibility
  11. Make sign improvements
  12. Improve pavement markings
  13. Make school zone improvements
  14. Provide law enforcement
  15. Provide bicyclist education on wrong-way riding and riding on the sidewalk
  16. Provide motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The motorist drives out after stopping for a red signal, into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. The motorist may be making a right turn on red and fails to look to the right to see an approaching bicyclist. The bicyclist could be riding the wrong way in either the roadway or on the sidewalk.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Reduce curb radii to slow motor vehicle speeds
  3. Install roundabouts
  4. Add/improve intersection markings
  5. Provide intersection sight distance improvements
  6. Restrict right-turn-on-red
  7. Provide trail-roadway intersection treatments for shared-use paths adjacent to the roadway
  8. Make sign improvements for bicyclists
  9. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

2. Motorist Failed to Yield — Non-Signalized Intersection

The motorist enters an intersection without properly stopping or yielding at a stop sign, yield sign, or uncontrolled location, striking a bicyclist who is traveling through the intersection on an initial perpendicular path. Many of these crashes also involve bicyclists who are riding the wrong way against traffic, either in the roadway or on the sidewalk approaching the intersection.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
Motorist fails to stop at a stop sign or yield at a yield sign or uncontrolled intersection. The motorist could be speeding or otherwise fail to observe correct right-of-way, including flagrantly violating sign control.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Reduce number of lanes.
  3. Reduce lane width
  4. Reduce curb radii to slow motor vehicle turning speeds
  5. Install roundabout
  6. Add/improve intersection markings
  7. Improve intersection sight distance
  8. Redesign merge area
  9. Install mini traffic circle at intersection
  10. Add chicanes or other traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds 
  11. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths crossing the roadway
  12. Optimize signal timing for bicyclists and add bike-activated signal detection
  13. Make sign improvements
  14. Improve pavement markings
  15. Make school zone improvements
  16. Provide law enforcement
  17. Provide bicyclist education on wrong-way riding and riding on the sidewalk
  18. Provide motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The motorist pulls out into the path of a bicyclist traveling through the intersection after first stopping (or slowing). The bicyclist could be riding the wrong way or on the sidewalk or both and ride into the intersection in the pedestrian crosswalk area. The motorist may pull out and fail to check or notice the bicyclist approaching (particularly from the right). The motorist may be turning right.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Install contraflow bike lanes
  3. Reduce curb radii to slow turning speeds
  4. Install roundabout
  5. Add/improve intersection markings
  6. Improve sight distance
  7. Install mini traffic circle
  8. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths crossing the roadway
  9. Make school zone improvements
  10. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

3. Bicyclist Failed to Yield — Signalized Intersection

The motorist enters an intersection without properly stopping or yielding at a stop sign, yield sign, or uncontrolled location, striking a bicyclist who is traveling through the intersection on an initial perpendicular path. Many of these crashes also involve bicyclists who are riding the wrong way against traffic, either in the roadway or on the sidewalk approaching the intersection.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The bicyclist rides into the intersection through a red signal without stopping. The bicyclist may be trying to rush through on an amber signal indication, fail to see the red signal, or choose to disregard the signal. The bicyclist may not want to interrupt momentum or stop for a signal with an excessively long delay or that does not detect bicyclists’ presence. Inexperience could also contribute to this type of crash. The signal may be more difficult to observe if the bicyclist is traveling wrong-way or riding on the sidewalk.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Install contraflow bike lanes
  3. Install roundabout
  4. Add/improve intersection markings
  5. Improve sight distance
  6. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths crossing the roadway
  7. Optimize signal timing for bicyclists
  8. Install bike-activated signal detection
  9. Make sign improvements
  10. Improve pavement markings
  11. Make school zone improvements
  12. Provide law enforcement
  13. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The bicyclist enters the intersection on a green or amber traffic signal indication but fails to clear the intersection when the traffic signal changes to green for the cross-street traffic. A multiple threat crash can also occur when the signal changes to green for the cross-street traffic and the bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle whose view was obstructed by standing or stopped traffic in an adjacent lane.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Reduce the number of travel lanes
  3. Reduce the width of travel lanes
  4. Install roundabout
  5. Add/improve intersection markings
  6. Improve sight distance at the intersection
  7. Add chicanes or vertical devices to slow motor vehicle speed
  8. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths crossing the roadway
  9. Optimize signal timing
  10. Install bike-activated signal detection
  11. Make school zone improvements
  12. Provide bicyclist education
  13. Provide motorist education about multiple threat

Possible Cause/Problem #3:
The bicyclist rides into the intersection after stopping for a red signal and into the path of a motorist. The bicyclist may ride out after waiting for a green indication if there is no provision for bicycle detection or the delay is excessive.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Install a modern roundabout or mini traffic circle (depending on street function and volumes)
  2. Improve signal timing
  3. Add bike-activation to the traffic signal
  4. Enforce traffic laws
  5. Provide bicyclist education

4. Bicyclist Failed to Yield — Non-Signalized Intersection

The bicyclist enters an intersection and fails to stop or yield at a non-signalized intersection (typically controlled by a stop sign), colliding with a motorist who is traveling through the intersection. This group of crashes could involve a lack of understanding of the sign control, inexperience, or disregard for the sign.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
Bicyclist fails to yield at a stop sign, yield sign or uncontrolled intersection. Sidewalk or wrong-way riding may exacerbate the problem by increasing the chances the bicyclist will not notice and obey sign control. Younger bicyclists tend to be disproportionately involved in this crash type.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve lighting
  2. Install roundabouts
  3. Improve sight distance at intersection
  4. Install mini traffic circle
  5. Provide path intersection treatments
  6. Install traffic signal with bike-activated signal detection
  7. Make sign improvements
  8. Improve pavement markings
  9. Make school zone improvements
  10. Provide law enforcement
  11. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The bicyclist rides out after stopping (or slowing). At a yield or two-way stop, the motorist could be speeding, the bicyclist may underestimate the time needed to start-up and get through the intersection, or the bicyclist may not detect an approaching motorist. At a four-way stop, the bicyclist may not understand right-of-way rules. A multiple threat situation can also occur at a non-signalized location.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve lighting
  2. Reduce the number of traffic lanes
  3. Reduce the width of traffic areas
  4. Install roundabout
  5. Implement special intersection markings
  6. Improve sight distance at the intersection
  7. Redesign merge area
  8. Install mini traffic circle
  9. Install chicanes or other traffic calming measures to slow motorist speeds
  10. Install traffic signal with bike-activated signal detection
  11. Provide bicyclist education
  12. Provide motorist education about multiple threat and child bicyclists

5. Motorist Drove Out — Midblock

The motorist typically pulls out of a driveway or alleyway and fails to yield to a bicyclist riding along the roadway or on a parallel path or sidewalk. Two-thirds of these types of crashes typically involve a bicyclist who is riding the wrong way against traffic, either on the sidewalk or on the roadway.

Possible Cause/Problem:
The motorist pulls out of a residential or commercial driveway or alleyway and fails to yield to a bicyclist riding along the roadway, on the sidewalk, or on a parallel shared-use path. Visibility may be obscured by buildings, parked cars, trees and shrubs, signal control boxes, sign posts and a host of other things that can be found along the sidewalk or edge of the roadway. The motorist may also fail to look right before pulling out or fail to detect higher-speed bicyclists or those traveling wrong-way on the roadway or sidewalk.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make parking improvements to increase sight distance
  2. Make driveway improvements
  3. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths adjacent to the roadway
  4. Optimize signal timing to create gaps midblock
  5. Make sign improvements
  6. Improve pavement markings
  7. Provide law enforcement
  8. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

6. Bicyclist Rode Out — Midblock

The bicyclist rides out from a residential driveway, commercial driveway, sidewalk, or other midblock location into the road and is struck by or collides with a motorist.

Possible Cause/Problem:
The bicyclist rides out from a residential driveway, commercial driveway, sidewalk, or other midblock location into the road without stopping or yielding and is struck by a motorist. This crash type is a common one for young children who fail to stop and scan for vehicles before crossing the road or pulling out into traffic. Motorists speeding through neighborhood streets increase the risk of being unable to avoid this type of crash, so traffic calming measures may be appropriate.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make parking improvements to increase visibility
  2. Install medians or crossing islands
  3. Make driveway improvements
  4. Reduce number of lanes
  5. Reduce lane width
  6. Install traffic calming measures such as chicanes, speed humps, or visual narrowing
  7. Use traffic diversion techniques to reduce traffic volumes
  8. Provide path intersection treatments for midblock roadway crossings
  9. Optimize signal timing to create gaps midblock
  10. If midblock traffic signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is installed, add bike-activated signal detection
  11. Provide school zone improvements
  12. Provide law enforcement
  13. Provide bicyclist education

7. Motorist Turned or Merged Left into Path of Bicyclist

The motorist turns left into the path of an oncoming bicyclist or turns or merges left across the path of a bicyclist who is traveling straight in the same direction as the motorist. This crash can also involve motorists or bus or delivery vehicles pulling out of parking spaces or stops.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The motorist turns left into the path of an oncoming bicyclist. The problem frequently occurs at signalized intersections on roads with four or more lanes, but may occur at driveways and other non-signalized junctions. The left-turning motorist is waiting for a gap in oncoming traffic and fails to look for, see, or yield to the oncoming bicyclist.

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
A motorist turns or merges left across the path of a bicyclist who is traveling straight ahead. Many times this crash occurs at an intersection or driveway where the bicyclist is riding the wrong way against traffic or is riding the wrong way against traffic on the sidewalk. Reducing wrong-way riding would be a goal of bicyclist education and other countermeasures. Most general countermeasures are the same for these first two types of crashes.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Install medians or crossing islands
  3. Make driveway improvements
  4. Provide bike lanes
  5. Provide paved shoulders
  6. Reduce curb radii or redesign skewed intersections
  7. Install roundabout
  8. Enhance intersection markings
  9. Make sight distance improvements at intersection
  10. Restrict left turns
  11. Implement mini traffic circle
  12. Install traffic diversion
  13. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths adjacent to the roadway
  14. Install or optimize signal timing (dedicated left turn)
  15. Add sign improvements
  16. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #3:
A motorist merges left across the path of a bicyclist traveling straight ahead at an on/off ramp or other merge or weave area.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Improve roadway lighting
  2. Enhance intersection markings or make pavement marking improvements
  3. Add sign improvements
  4. Redesign merge area

Possible Cause/Problem #4:
A motorist, bus, or delivery vehicle strikes a bicyclist when pulling out of a parking space or stop.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Provide parking treatments
  3. Provide combination lanes
  4. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

8. Motorist Turned or Merged Right into Path of Bicyclist

The motorist turns right into the path of a bicyclist traveling in the same direction or a motorist turning right strikes an oncoming bicyclist who is riding against traffic. This crash can also involve motorists pulling into parking spaces, bus or delivery vehicle pull-overs, or motorists making right turns on red.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
At an intersection, merge area, or driveway, the motorist turns or merges right across the path of a bicyclist who is traveling straight ahead in the same direction. The motorist may misjudge the speed of the bicyclist or believe (mistakenly) that the bicyclist should wait for them.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Provide parking treatments
  3. Make driveway improvements
  4. Reduce number of travel lanes to slow motor vehicle speeds
  5. Reduce lane width to encourage bicyclists to take the lane (in low-speed areas)
  6. Provide bike lanes
  7. Install a cycle track, which may also require the installation of a bicycle signal
  8. Reduce curb radii
  9. Improve intersection markings
  10. Implement turning restrictions
  11. Redesign merge areas
  12. Install traffic diversion
  13. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths adjacent to the roadway
  14. Make sign improvements
  15. Improve pavement markings
  16. Provide law enforcement
  17. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
A motorist turns right, striking a bicyclist approaching from the opposite direction. The bicyclist is most likely riding the wrong way, against traffic, but could be legally riding on the sidewalk or an adjacent path or cycle track. This crash may involve a right-turn-on-red, with the bicyclist possibly violating a red signal since the crash type involves traveling on a parallel path to the motorist.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Make driveway improvements
  3. Install contraflow bike lanes
  4. Implement turning restrictions
  5. Install traffic diversion
  6. Provide path intersection treatments for shared-use paths adjacent to the roadway
  7. Make sign improvements
  8. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #3:
A motorist, bus, or delivery vehicle strikes a bicyclist when pulling into a parking space or stop.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve roadway lighting
  2. Provide parking treatments
  3. Provide combination lanes
  4. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #4:
A motorist merges right across the path of a bicyclist traveling straight ahead at an on/off ramp or other merge/weave area.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Improve roadway lighting
  2. Enhance intersection markings or make pavement marking improvements
  3. Add sign improvements
  4. Redesign merge area

9. Bicyclist Turned or Merged Left into Path of Motorist

The bicyclist turns or merges left into the path of an overtaking motorist who is traveling straight ahead in the same direction as the bicyclist, or a bicyclist turning left strikes an oncoming motorist. This crash can also involve a bicyclist riding out from a sidewalk or path beside the road.  The bicycle and the motor vehicle are initially on parallel paths.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The bicyclist turns or merges left from the right side of the roadway. The rider fails to see or yield to a motorist coming from behind and is hit by the overtaking motorist. The crash also could involve a bicyclist riding out from a sidewalk or path beside the road. Speed of overtaking vehicles may be a factor in this group of crashes. The motorist also may not see the bicyclist, or may not suspect that the bicyclist will turn in front in time to react.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface improvements that eliminate potential hazards for bicyclists
  2. Add/improve roadway lighting
  3. Provide parking improvements
  4. Reduce number of travel lanes
  5. Reduce lane width in low-speed areas to encourage shared-lane use
  6. Install roundabout
  7. Improve intersection markings
  8. Perform repetitive and short-term maintenance to reduce surface hazards
  9. Perform major maintenance
  10. Institute a hazard identification program
  11. Install mini traffic circle
  12. Provide traffic calming treatments like chicanes, vertical devices, or visual narrowing to slow motor vehicle speeds
  13. Divert traffic
  14. Provide path intersection treatments (parallel paths adjacent to the roadway)
  15. Make pavement marking improvements
  16. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The bicyclist attempts to make a left turn and rides into the path of an oncoming motorist. The crash could occur at an intersection, a midblock driveway, or a shared-use path.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Install medians or crossing islands
  2. Improve driveways
  3. Reduce number of travel lanes
  4. Reduce lane width
  5. Install roundabout
  6. Improve intersection markings
  7. Improve sight distance
  8. Install mini traffic circle
  9. Provide trail intersection treatments
  10. Install/optimize signal timing
  11. Add bike activated signal detection
  12. Make pavement marking improvements
  13. Provide bicyclist education

10. Bicyclist Turned or Merged Right into Path of Motorist

The bicyclist turns or merges left into the path of an overtaking motorist who is traveling straight ahead in the same direction as the bicyclist, or a bicyclist turning left strikes an oncoming motorist. This crash can also involve a bicyclist riding out from a sidewalk or path beside the road.  The bicycle and the motor vehicle are initially on parallel paths.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The bicyclist turns or merges left from the right side of the roadway. The rider fails to see or yield to a motorist coming from behind and is hit by the overtaking motorist. The crash also could involve a bicyclist riding out from a sidewalk or path beside the road. Speed of overtaking vehicles may be a factor in this group of crashes. The motorist also may not see the bicyclist, or may not suspect that the bicyclist will turn in front in time to react.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface improvements that eliminate potential hazards for bicyclists
  2. Add/improve roadway lighting
  3. Provide parking improvements
  4. Reduce number of travel lanes
  5. Reduce lane width in low-speed areas to encourage shared-lane use
  6. Install roundabout
  7. Improve intersection markings
  8. Perform repetitive and short-term maintenance to reduce surface hazards
  9. Perform major maintenance
  10. Institute a hazard identification program
  11. Install mini traffic circle
  12. Provide traffic calming treatments like chicanes, vertical devices, or visual narrowing to slow motor vehicle speeds
  13. Divert traffic
  14. Provide path intersection treatments (parallel paths adjacent to the roadway)
  15. Make pavement marking improvements
  16. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The bicyclist attempts to make a left turn and rides into the path of an oncoming motorist. The crash could occur at an intersection, a midblock driveway, or a shared-use path.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Install medians or crossing islands
  2. Improve driveways
  3. Reduce number of travel lanes
  4. Reduce lane width
  5. Install roundabout
  6. Improve intersection markings
  7. Improve sight distance
  8. Install mini traffic circle
  9. Provide trail intersection treatments
  10. Install/optimize signal timing
  11. Add bike activated signal detection
  12. Make pavement marking improvements
  13. Provide bicyclist education

11. Motorist Overtaking Bicyclist

The motorist is overtaking a bicyclist and strikes the bicyclist from behind. These crashes tend to occur because the motorist fails to detect the bicyclist, the bicyclist swerves to the left to avoid an object or surface irregularity, or the motorist misjudges the space necessary to pass the bicyclist.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The motorist is overtaking and fails to detect a bicyclist, striking the bicyclist from behind. These crashes often occur at night, and one or both parties may have been drinking. The bicyclist may have inadequate lights or reflectors, or may not be using lights.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Provide space on bridges/overpasses
  2. Provide space and other measures in tunnels/underpasses
  3. Add/improve roadway lighting
  4. Provide space on roadway for bicyclists with bike lanes, wide curb lanes, paved shoulders, combination lanes, or cycle tracks
  5. Provide chicanes for low-speed, shared-lane situations
  6. Provide other traffic calming measures like vertical devices, visual narrowing, or traffic diversion
  7. Provide a separate shared-use path
  8. Make sign improvements
  9. Improve pavement markings
  10. Provide bicyclist education about conspicuity and riding at night
  11. Provide motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The overtaking motorist strikes a bicyclist suddenly swerving to the left, possibly to avoid an object or surface irregularity, extended door of a parked car, or other obstacle.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface hazard improvements
  2. Add/improve roadway lighting
  3. Provide parking improvements
  4. Make driveway improvements
  5. Provide bike lanes
  6. Provide a cycle track
  7. Provide wide curb lanes
  8. Provide paved shoulders
  9. Perform repetitive and short-term maintenance, major maintenance, and institute a hazard identification program
  10. Provide chicanes or other traffic calming measures like vertical devices or visual narrowing
  11. Divert traffic to reduce motorized traffic volumes
  12. Provide a separate shared-use path
  13. Make sign improvements
  14. Improve pavement markings
  15. Provide bicyclist education about avoiding objects and correct spacing from parked motor vehicles
  16. Provide motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #3:
The overtaking motorist detects the bicyclist ahead but fails to allow enough space to safely pass the bicyclist.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface hazard improvements
  2. Provide space on bridges and overpasses
  3. Provide space and other measures in tunnels and underpasses (3)
  4. Add/improve roadway lighting
  5. Reduce lane width (on low speed roads) to encourage bicyclist to “take the lane”
  6. Provide space for bicyclists on high speed roadways with bike lanes, wide curb lanes, paved shoulders, or cycle tracks
  7. Identify maintenance needs; perform routine and major maintenance; and start a hazard identification program
  8. Provide chicanes or chicane-like parking
  9. Provide a separate shared-use path
  10. Make sign improvements
  11. Improve pavement markings
  12. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

12. Bicyclist Overtaking Motorist

The bicyclist is overtaking and strikes the motor vehicle from behind. These crashes tend to occur because the bicyclist tries to pass on the right or left, the bicyclist strikes a parked vehicle while passing, or the bicyclist strikes an extended door on a parked vehicle while passing.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The overtaking bicyclist strikes a motor vehicle while attempting to pass on either the right or the left.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Provide space for bicyclists with bike lanes, wide curb lanes, paved shoulders, combination lanes, or cycle tracks
  2. Perform repetitive/short-term maintenance
  3. Perform major maintenance
  4. Institute a hazard identification program
  5. Provide a separate shared-use path
  6. Improve pavement markings
  7. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The overtaking bicyclist strikes a parked motor vehicle or extended door of a parked motor vehicle while attempting to pass on either the right or the left.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Implement parking treatments
  2. Provide bike lanes
  3. Provide wide outside lanes
  4. Provide paved shoulders
  5. Provide a cycle track
  6. Provide a separate shared-use path
  7. Improve pavement markings
  8. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

13. Non-Motor Vehicle Crashes

These crashes do not involve a motor vehicle and can occur in a variety of ways, including falls from a bike, a collision between two bicycles, a collision between a bike and a pedestrian, or a bicyclist striking an object.

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
The bicyclist loses control due to a pavement surface irregularity, debris, or other hazard.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface hazard improvements
  2. Improve bridge access and surfaces
  3. Improve tunnel access and surfaces
  4. Add/improve roadway lighting
  5. Make driveway improvements
  6. Improve streetcar track treatments
  7. Perform repetitive/short-term maintenance
  8. Perform major maintenance
  9. Institute a hazard identification program
  10. Implement “share the path” measures
  11. Improve pavement markings
  12. Provide bicyclist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2:
The bicyclist strikes a pedestrian, object, or other bicyclist on a shared-use path, sidewalk, or roadway.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Make roadway surface hazard improvements
  2. Add/improve lighting
  3. Make parking improvements
  4. Perform short-term maintenance, major maintenance, and institute a hazard identification program
  5. Provide path intersection treatments
  6. Implement “share the path” measures
  7. Improve pavement markings
  8. Provide school zone improvements
  9. Provide bicyclist education

14. Non-Roadway and Other Crashes

Possible Cause/Problem #1:
A motorist and bicyclist collide in a parking lot or driveway. The motor vehicle may be backing at the time of the crash.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add/improve lighting
  2. Redesign parking
  3. Make driveway improvements
  4. Perform repetitive/short-term maintenance
  5. Perform major maintenance
  6. Institute a hazard identification program
  7. Provide speed tables, humps, or cushions
  8. Make sign improvements
  9. Improve pavement markings
  10. Provide bicyclist and motorist education

Possible Cause/Problem #2 (Other):
Either the bicyclist or the motorist was traveling in the wrong lane or direction and collided head-on with the other. The bicyclist could have been riding on the wrong side of the roadway or the motorist could have been passing another vehicle when the crash occurred.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Add or improve roadway lighting
  2. Provide bike lanes
  3. Provide paved shoulders
  4. Complete repetitive and short-term maintenance (general sight distance maintenance)
  5. Provide law enforcement
  6. Provide bicyclist education about wrong-way riding and conspicuity and using lights at night
  7. Provide motorist education on safe passing

Possible Cause/Problem #3 (Other):
Either the bicyclist or motorist made a turning error (swung too wide on a right turn or cut the corner on a left turn) and turned into the opposing lane or path of the other.

    General Countermeasures:
  1. Install median
  2. Make driveway improvements
  3. Revise curb radii or re-align skewed intersections
  4. Install roundabout or mini traffic circle
  5. Add or improve intersection markings
  6. Impose turning restrictions

Possible Cause/Problem #4 (Other):
The bicyclist or motorist intentionally caused the crash, one or the other lost control due to impairment, mechanical problems, or other causes, or there were other unusual circumstances such as the bicyclist being struck by falling cargo. Few specific countermeasures can be identified for unusual or non-specific types of crashes other than educational and enforcement measures. To view general performance objectives and corresponding countermeasures to reduce crashes and encourage safer bicycling, go to the Performance Objectives section.