Vulnerable road users: protecting those who remain most exposed

Where do the risks really lie for vulnerable road users?

Vulnerable road users pedestrians, cyclists and powered two-wheeler riders remain among the groups most affected by severe road collisions.

According to GOV.UK data, vulnerable users account for a significant share of fatal collisions in urban areas, highlighting a particularly high level of exposure in dense city environments.

With the growth of active mobility and increasing traffic flows in towns and cities, interactions between vulnerable road users and motorised vehicles continue to rise.

A risk amplified by the complexity of urban environments

In urban areas, the close proximity of different modes of transport, the growth of professional travel, high-frequency delivery activity and the increasing presence of two-wheelers create conditions where even minor lapses in attention can have serious consequences.

This exposure is not driven by individual behaviour alone. It is also shaped by route design, traffic density and constant interactions between road users.

Outside urban areas, collisions involving vulnerable users are less frequent, but often more severe due to higher speeds. These contrasts underline the importance for public authorities to understand how risk varies across different environments.

Knowing where to act: identifying truly high-exposure zones

Data analysis now makes it possible to clearly identify the environments where vulnerable road users face the highest levels of risk.

It reveals corridors with frequent interactions, road layouts that increase collision likelihood and driving patterns that raise the probability of severe outcomes.

This detailed understanding goes far beyond national statistics. It provides public authorities with a localised and operational view of risk, enabling more targeted and effective interventions.

How MICHELIN Mobility Intelligence supports companies

MICHELIN Mobility Intelligence supports public authorities and transport bodies in using data to better understand and reduce the exposure of vulnerable road users across their networks.

By combining collision data, behavioural indicators, speed analysis and detailed knowledge of urban road environments, our solutions help identify the most sensitive locations and inform evidence-based decision-making.

This approach supports concrete public-sector actions, including route and network assessments, prioritisation of safety investments, adaptation of speed management strategies and evaluation of the real impact of road safety policies.

By making data actionable, MICHELIN Mobility Intelligence helps public authorities act in a targeted and sustainable way to improve safety for the most exposed road users.

👉 Looking to better understand where vulnerable road users are most at risk across your network? MICHELIN Mobility Intelligence can support you with data-driven insights.

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