Pedestrian and cyclist safety

Walking comprises the largest transport mode because almost everyone is a pedestrian
at some stage in their journey. Walking and cycling can provide many benefits, including
improved health, and reduced pollution and congestion. However, pedestrians and
cyclists are vulnerable road users, as they have little or no protection in the event of a
collision. Certain groups of pedestrians are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly,
the young and those who are impaired (for example by alcohol or drugs). There has been
a steady decline in the number of pedestrian fatalities over the last decade. However, in
2016 there were 182 pedestrian fatalities (14% of all fatalities), an increase for the
second year in a row. Pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries are most common in major
cities and towns (including on local roads, and higher volume roads with mixed traffic
use), but also occur in more remote locations. In 2016, a total of 29 cyclists were killed in
road crashes.

There is risk for vulnerable road users even at low speeds, but it is clear that the chance
of injury or death increases dramatically above certain speed thresholds. There is a large
increase in deaths for collision speeds above around 30 km/h, while the critical speed of
impact for serious injury and for particularly vulnerable road users is likely to be less than
this. The solutions include lower speed environments; separation of pedestrians and
cyclists from other road users; and provision of appropriate crossing facilities. Solutions
also lie in improved vehicle design and technology, road user education, training and
enforcement.

Source: National Road Safety Strategy

https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/