Can color be an influencing factor on the safety of cycle paths?

According to a German study, it certainly seems so.

The research concerns only cycle paths built close to roads, a solution that is frequently used in Italy using simple white demarcation lines.

This type of cycle path uses colours, mostly red, at intersections or dangerous sections, in order to warn motorists of the possible transit of bicycles. For the rest of the route, there is a tendency not to use other colours, for economic reasons.

This trend is quite common in other countries too, where only in rare cases are cycle paths highlighted with colours along the entire route: in the Netherlands, for example, they are coloured along the entire route because the colours are applied “in paste” during the laying of the asphalt.

The “color factor” of cycle paths has so far been given little consideration, which is why the research has taken this variable into account on the users of Berlin's roads and the study, which began in 2018, will continue until 2023.

The interim report of the study, published in April 2021 and containing results for 14 routes with green surfacing, highlighted greater road safety and better cooperation between road users if different colours are present.

For the research, standardized and on-site surveys were conducted on green-covered cycle paths, collecting opinions and experiences of cyclists, making a random selection of samples.

Most of the interviewees showed a positive perception and a greater sense of safety in the presence of the colored cycle path.

The behavior of drivers and cyclists before and after the colored coating was also taken into consideration through video recordings.

From these recordings, carried out in the same places and at the same times to exclude external influences, it emerged that both motorists and cyclists followed the traffic rules more, adopting a safer and more responsible behaviour, after the colouring of the cycle path.

In summary, the initial results showed that: 

• 77% of the interviewed cyclists appreciated the complete colouring of the pavement;
• 66% of those interviewed said they felt safer than before the paint job, which is important since the perception of safety helps motivate people to use a bike;
• The presence of cyclists on the sidewalks has significantly decreased (from 13 to 7%), a sign of greater comfort and safety on cycle paths;
• The green color of the cycle paths has shown a decrease in cars parked in no-parking areas: just think that the cycle paths, before the coloring, were blocked due to improperly parked cars, about 11 hours and 40 minutes, a duration that dropped to 7 hours and 4 minutes after the coloring; therefore, a decrease of almost 40% was seen.

The final report will be published in 2023 and will also take into account protected cycle paths.