Background Hilton has previously utilised Stephen Hilton’s creative and realistic photographs in publications on climate change, laughter therapy, motorcyclist road traffic safety and a drowning prevention initiative. This project is a cyclist with signage ‘thank you for cycling slowly’. The Victorian Cycling Strategy 2018–28 states 60% of Victorians have cycling curiosity but barriers include real or perceived safety concerns. Cycling has well-known health, environmental, and economic benefits as a utility mode of transport. The Victorian public health and wellbeing plan 2023–2027 recommends active transport [cycling/walking] for preventing overweight/obesity, cardiovascular disease and depression. Objective: To determine from the public health literature what recommendations reduce cyclist speed on shared pedestrian pathways and hence if this gives credence and authority for instigating this photographic initiative.

Methods The Pubmed MESH was utilised - search string ((‘Bicycling’[Mesh]) AND ‘Pedestrians’[Mesh]) AND ‘Wounds and Injuries’[Mesh] for evidence that speed restrictions are preventative. Results: There were 48 retrievals. Many cities allow cyclists to share space with pedestrians on off-road paths reducing conflict with motor vehicles. A Melbourne study [O’Hern & Oxley, 2019] investigated pedestrian and cyclist collision prevalence, analyzing Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU) and Crash Stats data. Over a decade there wasn’t a substantial increase in collision numbers so active transport participation is encouraged. A self-reported survey in Ireland reported 7% of collisions were between cyclists and pedestrians [Gildea & Simms, 2021]. Various cities have introduced preventative impact speed restrictions including Japan area-wide traffic-calming zone 30-policy [Inada et al, 2020]. Paudel et al [2022], recommended a speed limit <12 km/h for bicyclists on narrow shared paths/footpaths where pedestrian collision risk is high. A study in Shanghai, China [Li et al,2020], focusing on cycling analysed 14 828 observations and average speed was 22.5 km/hour [ebikes] and 13.4 km/hour [bicycles].

Conclusions Therefore, an effective intervention package includes components of strengthening speed enforcement and improving the cycling infrastructure (protected bike lane installation) to reduce hazards. Speed limits are advisable, having a significant positive influence on reducing fatal pedestrian crashes hence this creative street photograph [cyclist with signage ‘thank you for cycling slowly’] may re-enforce messages to cyclists of this necessity.