Les accidents de vélo et les conflits entre cyclistes et motorisés en milieu urbain de taille moyenne (Sherbrooke, 1989-1995)

Abstract

Cyclists manoeuvres are considered the most important contributing factors in bicycle-motor vehicle accidents. Nevertheless, other factors are sometimes underestimated, such as the action of a car driver, a bad road design, or a lack of maintenance. Also, the safety of bike lanes (especially two-way lanes) is an issue still raising questions. This study measures both human and environmental factors, associated with bicycle accidents, in order to evaluate the origins of specific problems and identify countermeasures for roadways and bikeways. Sherbrooke (population of 100,000) is the study area for which 263 police-reported accidents and additional information on road conditions are gathered. All cases are located in a geographical information system to perform spatial analysis with a black spot methodology. A conflict analysis is also conducted on a specific site. Risk ratios are computed with exposition units such as flow of bicycles. Results are submitted to statistical analysis (chi-square) for evaluation of statistical significance."--Résumé abrégé par UMI.