Low-Stress Bicycling and Network Connectivity, a research report released by the Mineta Transportation Institute, promotes planning aimed at improving road network connectivity, thus reducing bicycle riders’ stress levels. The researchers developed a creative scheme that classifies road segments by four stress levels:
- LTS1: level suitable for children
- LTS2: level that will be tolerated by most adults
- LTS3: level that confident cyclists would be willing to undertake, but still prefer a more comfortable riding space
- LTS4: level tolerated only by the most fearless riders
The authors go on to say that maintaining a low-stress level environment conducive to bicycling can be achieved through modest means. In other words, if planners provide low-stress routes that do not require cyclists to travel through high-activity traffic centers, they can promote an environment that is both safe and acceptable for bicycling. Network connectivity is improved by additional focus on population type the city is aiming to serve, rather than developing based on facility type.
The 68-page report can be found here.
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