Contributions to Workshop Eurobike in Helsinki

Abstract

In this report three subjects relevant for the study of bicycle traffic are presented, giving the state of the art in The Netherlands. They were presented at a workshop of Eurobike, a consortium preparing to carry out practically oriented research about bicycle traffic in European urban areas. The general set-up of the National Travel Survey is described. This survey also includes trips made by bicycle. Some details are given about the size of the survey, the change in method to collect the data in 1985 and the response rate. The modal split as a function of trip distance and the distribution function for bicycle traffic are given as examples of results that can be derived from the survey. In the safety part statistics are given about the general fatality rate of cyclists and other modes of traffic. Two studies to determine criteria for the need for separate cycle paths are described. A study proposal for analysing safety and behaviour in tenns of risk for a mix of fast and slow traffic on an arterial is presented. The third subject is the cycle planning model Quo-Vadis that can be used to determine the best possible cycling network and the best allocation of the budget for bicycle facilities. A short description of the model and its required input is presented. The traffic model part can determine cycle intensities over the period 7 AM to 7 PM on every link of the network and the origins and destinations of the flow. The evaluation part can be used to evaluate an existing network and to assess the effect of measures improving the network. The combination of the model with accident data and the determination of yard-sticks for safety can give indications of how to improve safety.