Evaluation of the ACT government’s safer cycling reforms minimum passing distance and allowance to ride across pedestrian crossings

Two major components of the ACT Government’s safer cycling reforms trial were evaluated: (i) minimum passing distance (MPD) rule and (ii) allowance for cyclists to ride across pedestrian crossings. The evaluation involved analysis of crash and enforcement data during the pre-trial and trial periods as well as pre-trial and post-trial community surveys, correspondence from community members and comments from a cyclist organisation. TheMPD rule has likely improved cyclist safety in the ACT, and overall public awareness and perception of potential cycling safety benefits increased. However, crashes between motor vehicles and cyclists riding across pedestrian crossings also increased.