2025-09-12 –, De Brug Area 1
The actual and subjectively perceived safety of cyclists in road traffic has a proven influence on the cycling mode share and is therefore a topic to be taken seriously in cycling research and planning. However, the official guidelines often adapt the research results never or much later. Meanwhile, infrastructure planning and evaluation of safety criteria are carried out very strictly in accordance with these guidelines.
This study uses different methods to evaluate the safety of bicycle infrastructure at selected accident-prone intersections in Munich. These methods include calculations based on guidelines, accident-data analysis as well as observational studies. The observations made at these intersections led to a far more accurate assessment of road safety and intersection deficits, which also coincides with the accident situation.
This paper shows the possibilities offered by carrying out observational studies and its advantages over the conventional guideline assessment.
In addition, the work is intended to encourage the use of less conventional research models and the implementation of traffic observations in research and planning.
Linda Marie Pätzold studied Civil Engineering at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), where she completed both her Bachelor's and Master's theses in the field of bicycle planning. To broaden her academic expertise and gain a deeper understanding of urban environments, she is currently pursuing a Master's in Urban Ecological Planning at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).