New interactive map to reveal the most dangerous spots for cyclists
Cyclists can share their crashes, doorings and close shaves on a new interactive map to reveal Victorian roads bike riders should avoid – and where they feel the safest. And, not to be left out, drivers can also add their cyclist near misses.
Wyndham Leader
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A new interactive map will reveal the most dangerous areas for cyclists on Victoria’s roads – and both riders and drivers can add their crashes, doorings and close shaves.
Thirty-eight bike-riders are killed and another 6000 severely injured in Australia every year, the Amy Gillett Foundation says.
To stop the carnage the charity has teamed up with CrowdSpot to develop BikeSpot 2020, a digital crowdsourcing map allowing cyclists to name areas where they feel safe and unsafe.
Participants can also vote and comment on high and low stress spots added to the map by other users.
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Amy Gillett Foundation chief executive Dan Kneipp said many crashes were preventable and BikeSpot was an essential tool to understand the safety concerns of all road users.
“We’re excited that a new button has been added to the 2020 app so people who drive can indicate the safe and unsafe spots they experience,” he said.
“We know drivers can feel nervous when interacting with cyclists and this data will help us understand where this happens on Victorian roads.”
CrowdSpot director Anthony Aisenberg said it was important to collate and understand community perceptions of cycling safety at different locations.
He said a similar project in 2016 had complemented other data sources, such as crash statistics, to give a clear picture of what it was like to cycle in Victoria.
The 2016 map revealed Southbank Promenade, Haymarket roundabout and Swanston St, between Flinders St and Flinders Lane as dangerous hot spots for cyclists, while the safest areas were Canning St, Carlton, Footscray Rd bike path and Wellington St “Cophenhagen Lane” in Collingwood.
You can join the conversation on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and by using the #bikespot2020 hashtag.