This research brief explores the landscape of electric bikes (e-bikes) and ridership in California, including the evolution of e-bike policies, rider use and demographics, and features of emerging e-bike safety programs. It discusses crash data reporting and explores limitations for capturing e-bike crash data, providing insights into potential solutions with a case study on Marin County. Findings indicate that decision-making when riding e-bikes may be influenced by environmental factors, while safety courses offer avenues to engage both students and guardians in the learning experience...
As autonomous vehicles (AVs) become more prevalent on roads in the United States, relevant information on their safety, especially when interacting with vulnerable road users (VRUs) like bicyclists and pedestrians is crucial. To understand the current state of AVs, this brief reviews VRU perceptions and interactions with AVs, relevant crash data on AVs, the use of AVs as a ride-hailing service, and AV technology and design. This brief examines technology, infrastructure, and data trends that can help inform communities on how to safely walk and bike amongst AVs. Knowledge of these topics...
This research brief examines pedestrian/bicycle crash and infrastructure differences in rural versus urban communities. Using Sonoma County rural communities as a case study, the brief identifies key differences in pedestrian/bicycle crash characteristics, severities, and locations. It examines differences in the nature of active travel, demographics, and current pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and future investments. Interviews with three planners working in the county are included to identify key community and infrastructure challenges and areas for opportunities in rural versus urban...
UC Berkeley SafeTREC and California Walks (the project team) conducted Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP) workshops in seven communities in 2026. All seven of the workshops were conducted in-person. The following research brief discusses findings from the program evaluation, and evaluation developed using the Kirkpatrick Model framework. Levels 1 and 2 of the model (reaction and learning) were measured at the end of each CPBSP workshop with an in-person survey, whereas levels 3 and 4 were measured with an electronic survey hosted on Qualtrics. The electronic survey was...
UC Berkeley SafeTREC's new research brief, "Autonomous vehicles an Vulnerable Road User Safety", reviews relevant information on the safety of autonomous vehicles (AVs), especially when interacting with vulnerable road users (VRUs) like bicyclists and pedestrians is crucial. To understand the current state of AVs, this brief reviews VRU perceptions and interactions with AVs, relevant crash data on AVs, the use of AVs as a ride-hailing service, and AV...
UC Berkeley SafeTREC and California Walks (the project team) conducted Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP) workshops in seven communities in 2026. All seven of the workshops were conducted in-person. The research brief, "Impact of the Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP)" discusses findings from the program evaluation, and evaluation developed using the Kirkpatrick Model framework. Levels 1 and 2 of the model (...
UC Berkeley SafeTREC released a research brief, "The State of E-Bikes in California: A review of emerging policies, programs, and crash reporting", that explores the landscape of electric bikes (e-bikes) and ridership in California, including the evolution of e-bike policies, rider use and demographics, and features of emerging e-bike safety programs. It discusses crash data reporting and explores limitations for capturing e-bike crash...
Safe Systems is an approach to road safety that envisions the elimination of fatal and serious injuries and seeks to provide both a theoretical framework and practical roadmap for accomplishing such an ambitious goal. The Safe Systems approach involves a paradigm shift from traditional approaches to road safety planning and responsibility. This fact sheet provides an overview of the Safe Systems Approach and how it relates to both current road safety practice and initiatives such as Vision Zero. Read the full SafeTREC...
Speed is a significant risk factor in road safety. Several recent reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) highlight the need for a greater focus on speed management at the national, state and local level. As part of our Community Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (CPBSP), UC Berkeley SafeTREC has prepared a new research brief, "Motor vehicle speed as a risk factor in pedestrian safety"...
