Conference | ICSC 2026 Knoxville

Welcome Y'all!

Welcome to the 14th International Cycling Safety Conference!

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville welcomes you to the 14th edition of the International Cycling Safety Conference, ICSC 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Since 2012, ICSC has been a forum for scientists and experts whose scientific and practical activities are aimed at making cycling safer. It has offered the opportunity for exchange and discussion, for getting to meet old friends and new collaborators. Over the years, hundreds of contributions have addressed novel research questions and presented innovative practical solutions dedicated to the improvement of cycling safety.

Under the theme Leveraging Recreational Cycling Enthusiasm for Safer Streets, we're examining how places like Knoxville, alongside cities like Atlanta and Bentonville/Fayetteville, are translating their vibrant recreational cycling scenes into real infrastructure improvements. In cities like Knoxville, residents' passion for recreational biking is joining to create the political will to build safe streets for everyone, not just athletes.

This recreational enthusiasm can be a secret weapon for better infrastructure all cities, regardless of their position on cycling as an important form of transportation. While we understand the actions, infrastructure, and policies needed to create safer environments for cyclists – progress requires political momentum. We believe Knoxville's recreation-to-utility pathway could serve as a booster for cities across the U.S. and around the globe.

ICSC 2026 is hosted by the University of Tennessee and its Center for Transportation Research, a regional and global leader in transportation and mobility research. The University of Tennessee maintains a strong focus on cycling safety, with many ongoing research projects on cyclist behavior, infrastructure design, crash analysis, and policy development. By hosting ICSC 2026, the University of Tennessee aims to promote international dialogue, exchange new research findings, and contribute to safer cycling environments worldwide.

We look forward to welcoming you to Knoxville for an inspiring exchange of knowledge and ideas!

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Important Dates

Abstract Submission Open: March 1st, 2026

Abstract Submission Closed: April 15st, 2026

Notification of Acceptance:

June, 2026

Online Registration Opens:

June, 2026

Early Bird Deadline:

August 31st, 2026

Pre-conference Events:

1-2 November 2026

Conference:

3-5 November, 2026

Workshops and Excursions

We are happy to offer four workshops and two days of excursion opportunities to give participants a hands on and interactive way to learn more about cycling safety from industry and academic professionals.

Update Abstract Submission

Registration

ICSC 2026 Information

Workshops - November 3rd

Workshops

Indoor Morning Workshop: Evolution of Safety Assessment Methods

Khashayar Kazemzadeh, University of Manchester

This workshop explores how methods for assessing cycling safety and cyclist experience have evolved over the past three decades. Drawing on case studies from North America and Europe, the session will examine approaches ranging from conflict techniques, naturalistic observations, and trajectory-based analysis to stated-preference surveys, video experiments, virtual reality, digital twins, and emerging physiological measurements. Participants will discuss the strengths and limitations of different methods and their practical applications in planning and evaluating cycling infrastructure. The workshop will conclude with a discussion on future directions for cycling safety research, including behavioural sensing, artificial intelligence, and human-centred evaluation approaches.

Indoor Afternoon Workshop: Best Practices in North American Bikeway Design

Anna Dearman, Alta Design

The past few years have seen strong innovation in bikeway design, with best practice guidance for North America featured in resources such as the updated National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide released in 2025. In this session, participants will engage with these best practices in bikeway design as applied to the North American context and informed by a global perspective, with a focus on intersection design components and training in how to design protected intersections for bikeway facilities, even in constrained physical and political environments.

Mobile Morning Workshop: Getting Over the Hill

Join our mobile cycling workshop exploring urban infrastructure. We will provide commentary on geographic and structural barriers to safe cycling networks greenway opportunities. Compare examples of excellent and subpar infrastructure design, and discuss the inherent tension between recreational spaces and functional transport networks through downtown, the University of Tennessee, the 3rd Creek Greenway. We will conclude our route with a final presentation at Safety City, a miniaturized city aimed at educating young children on cycling safety.

Mobile Afternoon Workshop: Urban Freeway Conversion

Explore converting freeways to bikeways to reconnect neighborhoods and outdoor recreation. This mobile workshop features a tour of Knoxville’s urban renewal infrastructure and plans to repurpose our dead-end freeway. It highlights the new bike/pedestrian bridge conversion, and examines the Sevier Ave streetscape project. We will conclude our route with a final presentation at the new Urban Wilderness Gateway Park, under dead end of the freeway interchange.

Cycling Excursions

November 2nd – Great Smoky Mountain National Park Cycling Excursions:

On Monday November 2 we will offer guided cycling excursions to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to highlight the recreational cycling opportunities nearby. The excursions will have opportunities from beginner to expert. Depending on interest, we will offer the following excursions (including transportation and bicycles with more details on the website). We will adapt excursions based on interest. These excursions will leave in the late morning and return in the evening.

Cades Cove: This paved loop is the crown jewel of the Smoky Mountain National Park. Beautiful homesteads and mountain views with a good chance for wildlife sightings. 5 and 11 mile options (beginners and above)
Foothills Parkway: This is a road ride along the iconic Foothills Parkway (intermediate skill level, good fitness required).
Rich Mountain Road: For a little more adventure, climb gravel over Rich Mountain and drop into Cades Cove. Several distance options (intermediate skill, good fitness required).
Vee Hollow: For mountain bikers, Vee Hollow bike park has a lot of options for mountain biking from moderate to expert level trails. E-mountain bike rentals are available (advanced skill, good fitness required)

November 6th – Local Knoxville Cycling Excursions:

Venues

Stick around for the morning after the conference (Friday November 6th) and we will offer guided excursions from downtown Knoxville to explore local recreational cycling opportunities. These excursions will start in the morning so that you can check out of your hotel if needed (pay attention to UT Gameday schedule and hotel rates for Friday night).

Urban Wilderness Mountain Bike Ride: We will ride the South Loop, a 10-15 mile single-track loop connecting the main trail system of the Urban Wilderness (intermediate skill level, good fitness).
Urban Greenways: Take a 10-15 mile urban greenway ride, exploring the new Rail Trail and Forks of the River Wildlife area (beginner skill level)
South Road Cycling: Ride parts of the USA Cycling National Road Championship course, including getting into some rural roads and the infamous Sherrod Road climb if you’re brave (detours available!) (intermediate skill levels).

Venues

Conference venue: UT Conference Center

Address: 600 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902

The conference will be held at the University of Tennessee’s Conference Center. The center is centrally located downtown, a short walk to bustling downtown and the University of Tennessee main campus. The venue is accessible by foot, by bike, or with the free Downtown Loop bus from Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).

Workshop Venue: John D. Tickle Engineering Building

Address: 851 Neyland Dr Knoxville, TN 37902

The indoor workshops will take place at the John D. Tickle Engineering Building. This is a hub for transportation research and education at the University of Tennessee with two labs available for workshops.

Main Topics

Dinner Venue: Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Dinner Address: 700 Hall of Fame Dr. Knoxville, TN 37915

The conference dinner, southern barbeque, will take place at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which showcases the special role Knoxville has played for women in basketball, with icons like Pat Summitt. It also highlights the importance of elevating women in all sports. The venue is accessible by foot, by bike, or with the free Downtown Loop bus from Knoxville Area Transit (KAT).

Reception Venue: Tennessee Riverboat

Reception Address: 300 Neyland Dr. Knoxville, TN 37902

The Tennessee Riverboat is an icon of the Knoxville area and is a truly unique way to experience Knoxville and the Tennessee River. The opening reception will take place on the boat, with a good mix of local drinks and great views. Don’t miss it. The Tennessee Riverboat can be reach by foot or bike via the Riverfront Greenway.

Committees

Main Topics

The headline for the conference is Leveraging Recreational Cycling Enthusiasm for Safer Streets.

This year’s program brings together new research and practical insights on cycling safety from across the world. The topics include:

Recreational cycling perspectives – regional approaches to recreational cycling to safe infrastructure pipeline
Behavior and human factors – how perceptions, attitudes, skills, and compliance shape safety outcomes across user types.
Accident data and risk analysis – from under-reporting and near misses to single-bicycle crashes and long-term health impacts.
Infrastructure – evaluating bicycle streets, junctions, and urban design for safer cycling.
Micromobility – patterns, risks, and policy implications of e-scooters and other new modes and new users.
Protective gear and health – helmets, garments, and the balance between safety measures and cycling promotion.
Simulation and methods – innovative tools, from VR and simulators to advanced modelling, that open new research possibilities.

Committees

LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Christopher Cherry
University of Tennessee, Knoxville | USA

Aaron Fellhoelter
University of Tennessee, Knoxville | USA

Allison Rewalt

University of Tennessee, Knoxville | USA

Bruce Appleyard

San Diego State University | USA

Nick Ferenchak

University of New Mexico | USA

Julia Griswald

University of California, Berkeley | USA

Bob Schneider

University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee | USA

STEERING COMMITTEE

Arend Schwab
Delft University of Technology | The Netherlands

Marco Dozza
Chalmers University | Sweden

Aslak Fyhri
Institute of Transport Economics | Norway

Marjolein Boele
SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research | The Netherlands

Narelle Haworth
CARRS-Q, Queensland University of Technology | Australia

Nagahiro Yoshida
Osaka Metropolitan University | Japan

Tibor Petzoldt
Technische Universität Dresden | Germany

For more information on ICSC and the steering commitee please visit the ICSC website or email under contact@cyclingsafety.net

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Arend L. Schwab

TU Delft | Netherlands

Ashim Debnath

Deakin University | Australia

Ben Beck

Monash University | Australia

Cara Hamann

University of Iowa | USA

Carmen Hagemeister

TU Dresden | Germany

Ceri Woolsgrove

European Cyclists' Federation | Belgium

Chris Cherry

University of Tennessee | USA

Dick de Waard

University of Groningen | Netherlands

Fred Feng

University of Michigan | USA

George Yannis

National Technical University of Athens | Greece

Glen Koorey

ViaStrada Ltd | New Zealand

Jake Olivier

University of New South Wales | Australia

Jeffrey LaMondia

Auburn University | USA

Kari Watkins

UC Davis | USA

Koh Puay Ping

Land Transport Authority | Singapore

Magdalena Lindman

If P&C Insurance | Sweden

Marco Dozza

Chalmers University of Technology | Sweden

Marjolein Boele

SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research | Netherlands

Mark King

Queensland University of Technology | Australia

Mette Møller

Technical University of Denmark | Denmark

Narelle Haworth

Queensland University of Technology | Australia

Ralph Buehler

Virginia Tech | USA

Tanja Madsen

Aalborg University | Denmark

Wes Marshall

University of Colorado Denver | USA

Cristina Montomoli

University of Pavia | Italy

Anna Niska

VTI | Sweden

Katja Schleinitz

TUEV/Argetp21 | Germany

Rebecca Sanders

Safe Streets Research | USA

Tina Gehlert

GDV | Germany

Nagahiro Yoshida

Osaka Metropolitan University | Japan