Factors in the initiation of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions
A. F. Williams
In this study, 888 injury-producing bicycle-motor vehicle collisions were
examined. On the basis of the movements of the vehicles involved, the
bicyclist or the bicycle or both was probably responsible for the
initiation of more than three fourths of the collisions. Bicyclist age was
strongly related to probable responsibility for the collision. Through age
12, nine out of ten bicyclists were probably responsible for the collision;
above age 12, probable responsibility decreased in proportion to age; and
only 34% of the bicyclists aged 25 years or older were probably
responsible. Collisions involving bicyclists in various age groups differed
considerably in where, when, and how they occurred. The movements of the
vehicles primarily involved in the initiation of the collisions were
evaluated in terms of counter-measure planning.
