Transcript Slide 1

Centre for Accident Research &
Road Safety - Queensland
Why do people ride on the footpath?
Narelle Haworth & Amy Schramm
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Recent increases in cycling have led to concerns about
interactions between cyclists and pedestrians on
footpaths and off-road paths. Much of the cycling
research suggests that riding on the footpath is more
dangerous than on the road. In most Australian
jurisdictions, adults are only permitted to cycle on
footpaths when accompanying a child. However, this
rule does not apply in Queensland. This paper examines
the predictors of footpath riding by adults in Queensland.
A survey of 2,532 Queensland adults who had ridden at
least once in the past year was conducted from October
2009 to March 2010, with most responses received
online (99.3%). Riders were asked where they rode
(footpath, bike path, road etc.), whether this was by
choice or reluctantly, how far and how often they rode in
each type of location. Measures of rider experience,
skill, safety perceptions, crash involvement and
demographic characteristics were also collected.
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
While 34% reported riding on the footpath, it comprised
only 5% of total riding distance for these riders. Logistic
regression showed that footpath riders were younger,
less likely to ride a road bike, had lower self-rated skills,
and were more likely to ride for utilitarian reasons. Prior
crash involvement, level of experience, perceptions of
cycling safety and gender were not significantly
associated with reporting riding on the footpath. Among
footpath riders, those who rode a ride bike, experienced
riders and males were more likely to do so reluctantly.
Footpath cycling is reported by many Queensland riders,
even those that are experienced, consider themselves
skilful riders and consider cycling to be relatively safe.
Much of the footpath cycling is reluctant and it comprises
only a small proportion of the distance ridden. Thus, it
appears to be a response to situations where riding on
the road seems to be unsafe or impractical. Allowing
adults to ride on the footpath facilitates cycling,
particularly for utilitarian reasons. The need to improve
safety when riding from the footpath onto the road
remains, however.
Acknowledgements
This research was funded by a Queensland Health Trauma Research Grant
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland