[NEWS]
PTW safety in Barcelona
RACC published a new study on PTW safety in Barcelona
RACC, the Royal Automobile Club of Cataluya (Spain), has published a study on the "Safety of Powered Two-Wheelers in the city of Barcelona", in collaboration with the Barcelona City Council and the FIA Foundation.
Powered Two-Wheelers have always been an important part of Barcelona's transport mix. Not many other European cities, except perhaps Rome, take advantage of this transport mode in such a significant way. In 2007, PTWs in Barcelona amounted to 278,000 vehicles. This specificity explains why Barcelona has lower congestion levels than other urban areas of the same size, and also contributes to address the lack of public transport with an efficient and accessible transport mode.
The main objective of the study is the analysis of this mode of transport in order to generate indicators, identifying the main causation factors, risk groups and practices and generate a model, with objective data, that will eventually form the message of a a safety campaign aimed at PTW users.
According to this study, in Barcelona there are 21 injuries every day in motorcycle accidents. The main accident causes, provoked by car drivers, are the improper turn of other vehicles, not obeying the traffic lights and distraction (all represent 12% of total), followed by the disobedience of other traffic signs (9%) and poorly performed lane changes (8%). Alcohol is found as a secondary contributing factor in 9% of the mildly injured victims and in 52% of the heavily injured ones.
The study is structured in three areas of research: analysis of accident data base of the Guardia Urbana of Barcelona (2002-2007), a field study on risk profiles and practice, and a survey of the usage patterns of 750 motorcyclists.
Main findings of the study:
PTWs PROFILE AND PARK
- In Barcelona, PTW users are 63.8% men and 36.2% women. The largest age group is 35 to 49 years.
- Mobility is the main reason for PTW usage.
- The average riding experience is 13.8 years (48.4% with over 10 years experience and 20.2% with less than 2 years) and the average vehicle age is 5.4 years.
- Between 2004 and 2007 the number of users of PTWs from 50 to 125 cc has doubled due to B licence holders with three years of experience.
ACCIDENTOLOGY
- In Barcelona, each year 7,700 PTW accidents are recorded, compared to 3,200 involving cars, meaning that every day 21 persons are injured in PTW accidents.
- The risk of serious or fatal injury on a PTW is eight times higher than using a car.
- 70% of victims are men. They are twice as likely to suffer serious accidents. In absolute terms, 70% of those injured are under 35 years.
- Mopeds pose a risk similar to that of large-displacement bikes. Motorcycle users between 50 and 125 cc with a B category licence have higher risk rates compared to A or A1 licence holders.
Two of the primary accident causes highlight the involvement of cars. The first main type of accident sees a car driver not paying attention while performing a turn, while in the second type of accident a car engages a cross roads when the traffic lights are red.
Links:
[INDEX]
RACC BARCELONA SURVEY ON PTW SAFETY
PIAGGIO AND ENEL TO DEVELOP ELECTRIC MOBILITY
RACC highlights the benefits of PTW mobility in cities and recommends PTW transport should be encouraged in view of achieving a more sustainable mobility mainly for their reduced space occupation:
Parking:
- Space occupied by 1 PTW: 2m x 1.3m = 2.6m²
- Space occupied by 1 passenger car: 5m x 2.5m = 12.5m²
Public street occupation:
- Space occupied by 1 PTW on the public road: 10m x 2m = 20m²
- Space occupied by 1 passenger car on public roads: 20m x 3.5m = 70m²
According to this study if PTWs were abandoned in favour of passenger cars, a city like Barcelona would need 35% more parking places and occupation of city streets would increase by 47%.