During the Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026 in Budapest (18-21 May 2026), FERSI presented the conference paper “Bicycle Safety in Europe: Toward Evidence-Based Policy Recommendations”, developed by the FERSI Bicycle Safety Working Group in collaboration with researchers from several European institutions. The paper was authored by Leonid Ljubotina, Marko Ševrović, Andrea Uhr, Carlos Roque, Abderrahmane Boubezoul, Veronika Zuser, Wojciech Bańkowski, Sara Nygårdhs, Mette Møller, Veronika Valentová, Nóra Krizsik and Markus Schumacher.
The paper provides an updated overview of cycling safety trends across Europe, analysing cyclist fatalities, serious injuries, and the main risk factors affecting vulnerable road users. While cycling continues to grow as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport, the research highlights that safety improvements for cyclists remain uneven across European countries, with older adults and users of e-bikes and cargo bikes representing emerging areas of concern.
The study identifies key challenges related to infrastructure gaps, risky behaviours, fragmented governance, and limitations in road safety data collection. In response, the authors propose a series of evidence-based policy recommendations, including safer cycling infrastructure, harmonised regulations, improved education and enforcement measures, and better integrated data systems.
The contribution reflects FERSI’s ongoing commitment to supporting research-driven road safety policies and promoting safer, more sustainable mobility systems across Europe.