Road safety of micro-mobility and vulnerable road users: Insights and issues from a world café

Abstract

Road traffic incidents are responsible for the loss of ∼1.19 million lives annually and the 50 million people who sustain injuries. Vulnerable Road Users (VRUs) account for a significant portion of these data, constituting 70% in Europe and 50% in the United Kingdom (UK). Addressing these alarming fatality rates requires initiatives such as the European Union’s Vision Zero, which aims at eradicating road collision fatalities and serving as a model for global action. Similarly, the UK is committed to realizing its transport vision 2050, emphasizing seamless, safe, net-zero, interconnected, cost-effective, accessible, and dependable transportation for all. Effective implementation of appropriate safety interventions hinges on understanding the challenges VRUs face. While previous studies have delved into challenges encountered by specific VRU groups, this research fills a gap by comprehensively examining difficulties encountered by various VRUs. Therefore, this study aims to adopt a co-creation process to expose insights and issues shared by VRUs across Oxfordshire, UK, and to identify collective solutions that could improve road safety. The study adopted a world café method, which fosters an environment where diverse perspectives and ideas are explored through open-ended conversations. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data identified critical areas for intervention: infrastructure, behavior, technology, environment, law enforcement, and awareness. Apart from the interventions, the research underscores the need for end-user involvement in mobility infrastructure planning, as safety requirements vary among VRU categories, emphasizing the urgency of adopting a human-centric design approach to reduce road injuries and fatalities and ensure equal accessibility and safety for all.