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40 <br /> )ii 1( ) <br /> This analysis verifies what many bicyclists in rural Orange County already know, namely that motorists <br /> overtaking bicyclists can create hazardous conditions for both road users and that intersections also <br /> pose a threat in terms of safety. As most roads are narrow, have a limited shoulder, and have speed <br /> limits higher than 35 miles per hour, bicycle crashes are also likely to result in an injury, so it is especially <br /> important to be aware of the risks. Based on anecdotal evidence, bicycle crashes are occurring in areas <br /> with substantial numbers of cyclists, most notably to the west of Carrboro. However, the area between <br /> the Town of Hillsborough and the City of Durham may not have as high a volume of bicyclists, indicating <br /> that this area is particularly dangerous. Both the area west of Carrboro and the area between the Town <br /> of Hillsborough and the City of Durham merit special consideration in terms of safety infrastructure <br /> improvements, education efforts, and enforcement. Additionally, more information about high volume <br /> bicycle routes and areas where people are bicycling should be gathered to enhance this analysis. For <br /> drivers, it is clear that drivers exceeding 50 mph are likely to cause a serious or fatal injury to a bicyclist <br /> in the event of a conflict. Reducing or enforcing speed limits more rigorously may be a strategy to <br /> reduce the severity of bicycle crashes in rural Orange County.This information can hopefully help target <br /> efforts to improve safety and also inform the creation of a priority bicycle network in rural Orange <br /> County. <br /> Orange County Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis <br />