Residents’ Views on Cyclist Safety and Cycling Infrastructure in the City Municipality of Celje
Purpose:
The paper presents the results of two research studies analysing the views of different target populations on cyclist safety and the adequacy of preventive measures in Slovenia. The purpose of both research studies was to identify the shortcomings of different approaches to ensuring cyclist safety, evaluate the adequacy of planned solutions and propose some improvements of preventive actions taken by various stakeholders.
Design/Methods/Approach:
A field survey was conducted among the residents of the City Municipality of Celje (n = 171) on their satisfaction with cyclist safety, while an online survey was carried out among internet users (n = 210) on the usefulness of an alternative approach to raise cyclists’ awareness by digitising cycling routes and safety risks.
Findings:
Results show that respondents are generally not satisfied with cyclist safety, as most believe that municipal efforts are insufficient to ensure it. It was observed that cycling infrastructure needs to be properly regulated and that a positive traffic culture should be promoted at the municipal level, including through the promotion of preventive activities. Both internet users and local residents recognise a strong need to digitise cycle paths by indicating safety risks. Therefore, it would be reasonable to upgrade conventional approaches to raising public awareness by introducing solutions that are useful for cyclists.
Research Limitations / Implications:
The limitation of the research study arises from the fact that its results cannot be generalised to all municipalities, since they apply different approaches to ensuring cyclist safety due to their autonomy and are facing different safety risks. Moreover, due to the use of a non-random sample, caution is necessary when generalising research results.
Practical Implications:
The results of the presented studies are primarily useful to decision-makers and infrastructure managers at national and local level when planning changes and safety measures in the field of cyclist safety.
Originality/Value:
The paper encompasses two studies, the findings of which complement one another substantially and provide a deeper insight into the issues of cyclist safety and preventive actions taken by different stakeholders. They serve as a basis for further exploring this issue in different local environments with a view of obtaining a more comprehensive insight into the key challenges of traffic safety from a broader perspective.
UDC: 351.78:656.183
Keywords: safety, cyclists, cycling infrastructure, safety risks, resident’s perceptions, City Municipality of Celje