Why do people ride on the footpath?

1. Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety - Queensland INTRODUCTION 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. METHODS 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. Why do people ride on the footpath? Narelle Haworth & Amy Schramm RESULTS 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. DISCUSSION 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