Abstract
In recent years, cycling has become an important part of urban transport, providing a fast and convenient means of transport in densely populated and congested urban areas. The dynamic growth of cycling brings with it new challenges related to cyclist safety. This article presents a study aimed at identifying high-risk areas for cyclists in a medium-sized city in Central Europe, using spatial data analysis. The proposed methodology combines GIS-based spatial analysis techniques, in particular heat map visualization and Getis-Ord Gi* hotspot detection, with a customized risk classification system that considers environmental and infrastructure variables affecting cyclist safety. A criteria assessment system was used, assigning points to conditions such as lighting, weather, road surface quality, and infrastructure completeness. The locations with the highest risk scores were then examined in relation to areas with the highest traffic intensity to identify high-risk zones where infrastructure deficiencies coincide with increased exposure of cyclists, thus indicating increased vulnerability to hazards. A classification system was developed to assess environmental and infrastructure conditions based on their potential impact on cyclist safety. The results show that high-risk areas are concentrated in central districts, along major thoroughfares with heavy traffic, with incomplete infrastructure, and in densely populated districts in the south, north, and west of the city. The results provide a basis for urban mobility planning, enabling targeted measures to improve cyclist safety. Furthermore, the proposed approach can be transferred to other medium-sized European cities with comparable infrastructure, demographics, and transport dynamics.
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