24 Re-enforcing cyclist speed restrictions on shared pedestrian pathways utilizing a new creative street photographic initiative

<h3>Background</h3> Hilton has previously utilised Stephen Hilton’s creative and realistic photographs in publications on climate change, laughter therapy, motorcyclist road traffic safety and a drowning prevention initiative. This project is a cyclist with signage ‘thank you for cycling slowly’. The Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018–28 states 60% of Victorians have cycling curiosity but barriers include real or perceived safety concerns. Cycling has well-known health, environmental, and economic benefits as a utility mode of transport. The Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2023–2027 recommends active transport [cycling/walking] for preventing overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression. Objective: To determine from the public health literature what recommendations reduce cyclist speed on shared pedestrian pathways and hence if this gives credence and authority for instigating this photographic initiative. <h3>Methods</h3> The Pubmed MESH was utilised - search string ((‘Bicycling’[Mesh]) AND ‘Pedestrians’[Mesh]) AND ‘Wounds and Injuries’[Mesh] for evidence that speed restrictions are preventative. Results: There were 48 retrievals. Many cities allow cyclists to share space with pedestrians on off-road paths reducing conflict with motor vehicles. A Melbourne study [O’Hern &amp; Oxley, 2019] investigated pedestrian and cyclist collision prevalence, analyzing Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) and Crash Stats data. Over a decade there wasn’t a substantial increase in collision numbers so active transport participation is encouraged. A self-reported survey in Ireland reported 7% of collisions were between cyclists and pedestrians [Gildea &amp; Simms, 2021]. Various cities have introduced preventative impact speed restrictions including Japan area-wide traffic-calming zone 30-policy [Inada et al, 2020]. Paudel et al [2022], recommended a speed limit &lt;12 km/h for bicyclists on narrow shared paths/footpaths where pedestrian collision risk is high. A study in Shanghai, China [Li et al,2020], focusing on cycling analysed 14 828 observations and average speed was 22.5 km/hour [ebikes] and 13.4 km/hour [bicycles]. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Therefore, an effective intervention package includes components of strengthening speed enforcement and improving the cycling infrastructure (protected bike lane installation) to reduce hazards. Speed limits are advisable, having a significant positive influence on reducing fatal pedestrian crashes hence this creative street photograph [cyclist with signage ‘thank you for cycling slowly’] may re-enforce messages to cyclists of this necessity.