Safety is often cited as the main reason why people don’t cycle for more of the journeys they make every day.
And the recent findings on Scotland’s cycle collision hotspots, only serve to highlight the importance of having high quality infrastructure in place at junctions, so that collisions can be prevented.
The report published by Sustrans’ Scottish Research Programme, found that out of the top 20 ranked locations for cycle collisions in Scotland, 19 of the incidents occurred at a junction or within 20 meters of one.
Roundabouts were where collisions most frequently occurred, appearing in eight of the 20 hotspot locations, whilst seven of the locations were at T or staggered junctions.
What this research shows is that it’s clear that junctions are an area of conflict for cyclists.
What we are doing to improve safety
Our Community Links and National Cycle Network funding programmes are helping to redesign some of the key collision hotspots in Scotland, including the B901 / London Street roundabout and the A7 / Craigmillar Castle Road both in Edinburgh, with feasibility and design studies are currently underway in both areas.
And we are aware that there are other Local Authorities are also undertaking similar feasibility studies for dangerous junctions in their areas. However, there is far more which needs to be done, to ensure that junctions are safe for all who use them.
Better cycle infrastructure increases perception of safety
We do our best to make cycling safer for communities across Scotland and work closely with our partners' help to build simple, safe and convenient connections which encourage people to make more trips by bike or by foot.
And through our work in schools and workplaces, we also deliver Bikeability cycle training to help people gain practical skills and understand how to cycle on today’s roads.
Research has found that once walking and cycling levels double in a particular area, the risks associated with the activity fall by around a third. This is attributed partly to drivers having an increased awareness of people on bikes and partly to an area being more likely to have cycling infrastructure.
Providing high-quality infrastructure for cyclists alongside behaviour change programmes, will help to foster an environment in Scotland where cycling is seen as the default option for commuters across the country.