Fundacion Mapfre, iRAP, the Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and PTV are working together to run pilots in five cities of the new CycleRAP risk assessment model.

CycleRAP is an evidence-based infrastructure risk evaluation model. It aims to reduce crashes and improve safety specifically for bicyclists and other light mobility users by identifying high risk locations without the need for crash data. The model uses data about the features of a road, street or path to evaluate the risk of crashes for bicyclists and light mobility users—irrespective of the type of facility and pinpointing and mapping where crashes are likely to occur, offering suggestions for treatments to reduce this risk.

During the pilots, iRAP will test the application of the model across multiple cities globally. The pilots will take place in Madrid, Barcelona, Bogota, Sao Paulo and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The project works with local partners in each of the cities to identify network and produce maps showing how safe the infrastructure is for cyclists and users of other types of mobility vehicles using the facilities. The project also aim to disseminate the pilot results and complementary knowledge products to support other cities undertaking CycleRAP assessments, and to provide general guidance on designing safer streets and networks for cycling and light mobility.

Cyclist safety is still a major concern of cities around the globe that want to achieve greener, safer and fair mobility. CycleRAP has been designed to help cities better address the safety of their street and path networks specifically for bicycling and light mobility (i.e. electric scooters). The model was launched globally last year at the Velo-City Conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia and in Latin America at the ITF Safer City Streets Network event in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Understanding the infrastructure risk for cyclists and light mobility users and showcasing best practices to the world are the main goals of the project. With the primary support of Fundación Mapfre and co-funded by UCI and PTV, this is the first application of the model in Spain and outside Europe.

The project results, due in October 2023, will give cities a clear understanding of how safe their infrastructure is, and provide key safety recommendations to help reduce risks. The project also aims to create a knowledge base to help other cities replicate the approaches and improve safety of cycling infrastructure in their cities. All these outputs will be launched publicly at the UCI Mobility and Bike City Forum on 25-26 October 2023 in Brugge, Belgium.

PTV will work with one of the pilot cities on visualization of the CycleRAP model results and evaluate infrastructure improvements using its leading macro and micro simulation tools.

The project brings together a unique and diverse team of local and technical partners, such as Experience Fayetteville, Secretaria de Movilidad de Bogotá e Ciclocidade, Factual Consulting and iRAP Centre of Excellence the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Traffic Sciences (FPZ).

Image source: Experience Fayetteville