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Sweep-Salting – A Method for Winter Maintenance of Bicycle Paths in Sweden

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A high winter maintenance service level could encourage more people to cycle during winter - with environmental and health benefits as a result. It is also important considering the safety of cyclists. According to accident analysis, eight out of ten bicycle crashes in Sweden are single bicycle crashes and the most common cause in wintertime is slipperiness caused by ice or snow. In the springtime, a common accident cause is slipperiness due to grit from winter maintenance. Instead of traditional ploughing and gritting, using salt for skid control of bicycle paths could be one way to achieve a higher level of service, although it has its drawbacks and difficulties.