Conclusion

This study served two purposes: to fill the gap in academic literature concerning cycling safety on highways, and to recommend mitigation methods on the Sea to Sky Highway. The study found that cycling safety on the highway could be drastically improved by the five upgrades suggested in this paper. Ultimately, the improvements would save the government money by decreasing injuries on the route, lowering medical costs and limiting resulting highway closures. Enhanced safety along the Sea to Sky Highway has the potential to further increase ridership, contribute to cycling tourism, improve local health culture, reduce traffic congestion and lower both air and noise pollution. In addition, the popularity of the GranFondo continues to increase: from 4000 participants in the first race in 2010, the event grew to having 7000 registered participants from 14 different countries in the second race in 2011 (GranFondo Whistler, 2012). In order to accommodate such large volumes of cyclists, it is paramount their safety needs are addressed.

In the future, it is recommended that further research is undertaken that investigates unsafe areas beyond the route that was assessed in this study. When the Sea to Sky Highway was renovated for the 2010 Winter Olympics, improvements concluded in Whistler although the highway continues on to Pemberton, BC. An investigation of cycling safety along this additional portion of the highway could be performed to extend the route by an additional 30 km for added duration as well as bringing tourists into the Pemberton region.

Continue to map of route with hazards