Spatial Analysis of Bicycle Crashes in Chile

In Chile, bicycle crashes yield more than 170 fatalities every year and these represent almost 12% of the total number of the yearly crashes. Cycling is the third cause of accident after vehicles and pedestrians. The focus of this study is on identifying high-risk bicycle crash locations and related factors at the district level that occurred during the 2008-2012 period using global and local spatial statistical analysis. The results suggest that the main contributing cause of bicycle crashes related to under the influence of alcohol or drugs tend to cluster in districts located in the central-south zone of Chile. Although the hotspots corresponding to the number of killed and severely injured cyclists has been reduced over the years of the study, the majority occur in the districts of Chillan and Rancagua. Additionally, high-risk zones of bicycle-vehicle collisions in the Metropolitan Region occur primarily due to the imprudence of the driver. The results pave the way for future investment and focus in these areas to improve bicycle safety and promote their use.