David Patman P.Eng.
Manager - Transportation
City of Winnipeg
T:
204-986-5895
M:
204-806-6471
Public Works
Transportation
From: at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca [mailto:at-network-bounces@lists.umanitoba.ca]
On Behalf Of Beth McKechnie
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2019 9:17 AM
To: AT network
Subject: [At-network] Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists
From: "Zdan, Terry (MI)" <Terry.Zdan@gov.mb.ca>
A recent Canadian study in Montreal found only 0.6% of surveyed cyclist follow traffic laws…”..
reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets…”
is it any different here?
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0361198119844965
Rules of the Road: Compliance and Defiance among the Different Types of Cyclists
https://doi.org/10.1177/0361198119844965
Article Information
Article first published online: May 3, 2019
Nick Chaloux1, Ahmed
El-Geneidy1
1School of Urban Planning, McGill University, Montreal, QC,
Canada
Corresponding Author: Address correspondence to Ahmed El-Geneidy: ahmed.elgeneidy@mcgill.ca
Abstract
Although cycling has become a more attractive option to commuters in many North American cities recently,
significant apprehension remains around its safety. Though risks experienced by cyclists are diverse, the idea that they are because of scofflaw cyclists—cyclists who regularly ignore the rules of the road—remains prevalent. Improving cycling safety requires
countering this idea, and therefore an understanding of how different cyclists act under the existing rules. Using a survey of 1,329 cyclists in
Montreal, Canada, this study generated a typology of cyclists based on cycling motivations and behaviors and conducted comparisons based on their responses to four cycling rule-breaking scenarios.
Our study shows that all cyclist types contravene traffic laws in similar ways, and 0.6% of respondents consistently follow the traffic laws. Breaking the law was often considered the safest option by respondents, which
reflects a disconnect between the safety goals of traffic laws and the reality on the streets based on the perspectives of different cyclist types. Although cyclist types may act similarly in response to existing laws, they still respond uniquely to policies
aimed at increasing rule adherence. Targeted interventions aimed at educating young cyclists, improving dedicated infrastructure, and prioritizing cycling traffic could increase rule compliance across all types. Through our study, planners, policy makers,
and law enforcement could improve cycling safety by better understanding the behavior and rationale taken by cyclists.