Excuse another email (shorter).  It has struck me that a useful piece of
evidence in this debate could be to interview passing cyclists, for
example at the two locations in the Warrington study (i.e.  similar
locations and populations, with and without cycle lane).  Ideally
locations with/without coloured surfaces could also be selected.

Either all passing cyclists would be interviewed, or else they must be
selected by a random method, and they could be asked...

a. Do you feel safer or less safe cycling here because there is / is not
a cycle lane?  [much safer, slightly safer, slightly less safe, much
less safe - possibly not offering 'no difference']

Possibly also ask...

b. Would you be more / less likely to cycle here if there was / was not
a cycle lane?

If it is found that they feel safer, it is an indication that the cycle
lane is likely to increase cycle use (or slow any decline), given that
perception of safety is the main factor thought to be deterring cycling.
This would then need to be taken into account, alongside the distance
evidence, in any policy recommendations.

If they feel less safe then, taken with the evidence on distance, there
would be little argument for keeping the lanes.

Of course there could be follow-on questions, e.g. about distances, or
changes they wanted to see, but these should not be asked in advance of
(a) above, in order not to influence that initial opinion.

Finally, this suggested study does not cover the question of widespread
visible facilities, but it does give a fuller picture on the effects of
specific ones.

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Dave du Feu  --  Phone: +44-131-650-3202  --  Mail: [log in to unmask]
Computing Officer  --  Public Health Sciences / Medical Statistics Unit
Medical Buildings    Teviot Place    University of Edinburgh    EH8 9AG
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