# Analysis of Solutions Improving Safety of Cyclists in the Road Traffic
## 1 Introduction
Countries, such as the Netherlands or Denmark--where cycling has been part of everyday life for decades and cycling infrastructure is fully integrated into urban planning--have now become model examples of how to create an attractive and well-functioning environment ensuring the safety of cyclists. The extensive specialist literature on the subject and the available information and instructional material present in great detail a wide variety of tried-and-tested solutions [10; 11; 12]. Also, throughout the European Union, projects have been implemented to develop competences aimed at improving the quality of cycling in the cities. An example is the PRESTO (Promoting Cycling for Everyone as a Daily Transport Mode) project, whose aim was to provide a toolkit for creating cycling-friendly urban environments [13], implementing rational cycling plans [14] and launching dedicated promotional campaigns [15]. It is recognized that new investments and street modifications that take cycling into account ensure [4]:  
* friendly, healthy environment,
* future protection against road congestion,
* increasing employee productivity,
* increased profitability of stores and improved access to the public facilities,
* attractive street landscapes and public spaces, including elements of the so-called small architecture,
* efficient use of space. Danish experience also shows that in many cities where the number of cyclists has increased, the total number of road accidents has decreased more than in other cities [16]. In other words--it is possible to increase bicycle traffic and at the same time improve road safety. The safety of cyclists can be improved in many ways. The guidelines available for safe bicycle traffic most often focus on [17; 18; 19]:  
* key principles and design processes oriented towards road users,
* considerations of urban development projects and other measures to improve road safety,
* road traffic regulations for cyclists travelling on the roadways and at points where bicycle paths connect or intersect the roadways for other vehicles,
* infrastructure made available for cycling, such as cycling paths, bicycle lanes, etc.,determining bicycle routes in rural areas and recreational and tourist routes, maintenance and management of bicycle routes, other design issues such as bicycle parking, signposting, integration with public transport, etc. The literature review shows that at the turn of the second and third decades of the 21 st century, the range of possible solutions and devices improving road safety is large and varied, with a significant part of them being solutions in the field of organization and management. However, a more systematic approach to action is needed and solutions should be aimed at those areas and target groups that will have the greatest impact. Research so far has shown that systematic measures focusing on a comprehensive approach are more likely to improve and increase cycling [9]. Meanwhile, despite such many available solutions and road safety devices dedicated to cyclists, there is still no clear algorithm of conduct in selecting measures appropriate to the existing risks and monitoring the effectiveness of the implemented interventions aimed at increasing the safety of this group of road users. To fill in this gap, the article will present a model of selecting interventions and activities aimed at increasing the safety of cyclists in the road traffic. The group of implemented interventions reducing the risk of cyclists should be selected each time based on the developed procedure. It is a very important and complex element in the process of planning, designing and implementing a safe infrastructure for the cyclists [18]. The aim of this article is to indicate the possibility of creating an algorithm of conduct, including the diagnosis of hazards, planning areas of intervention and selection of solutions, as well as the implementation of measures increasing the safety of cyclists, and then assessing the effectiveness of the measures undertaken.