Cyclists most fear open doors — study

Press, 5 December 1989, Page 36

Cyclists most fear open doors — study

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

Christchurch cyclists most fear doors being opened in front of them a survey shows. They also fear inconsiderate drivers. The survey of 5000 people has taken nine months. Full results will be published in March next year. It has been conducted by the Christchurch Cycle Safety Committee made up of staff from the City Council, Canterbury Regional Council, and the Ministry of Transport. Adults, schools and doctors were spoken to and street observation helped build a picture of cycling, said the project’s chairman and the council’s traffic operations mana-

ger, Mr Mike Gadd. "We will learn who does, who doesn’t, why they cycle, where they go, what sort of of accidents occur, where and how serious they arie, as well as many other details.” Early results had shown many cycle accidents went unreported, he said. Information on accidents and their severity would be vital for helping cyclists. The survey also looked at helmet-wearing in Christchurch, and showed it exceeded the national average. More women than men wore helmets. The survey, titled “Cycle Use and Accidents in Christchurch,” was partly funded by the road research unit of Transit New Zealand.