Which of the following is not a primary factor for bicyclist level of stress?

• A. Traffic speed
• B. Bike lane width
• C. Rate of parking turnover
• D. Proximity to conflicts

Answer: (C)

Bicyclist stress is driven mainly by how fast nearby motorized traffic is moving, how close vehicles and cyclists come to each other, and how much space the cyclist has to maneuver. When traffic speeds are high, the speed difference between bikes and cars grows, making stopping distances longer and collisions more severe. A narrow bike lane reduces the buffer between cyclists and moving traffic, increasing the feeling of exposure and the chance of conflicts. Proximity to conflicts captures how near turning or merging vehicles get to the cyclist, which directly raises worry and vigilance.

Rate of parking turnover, while it can influence occasional hazards (like a car pulling out suddenly or a door opening), does not directly determine ongoing exposure to moving traffic or the core design factors that shape a cyclist’s level of stress. Therefore it is not considered a primary factor.