Who are considered vulnerable road users?

Vulnerable road users are individuals who are more prone to injury or death in the event of a traffic collision. This group typically includes those who do not have the protective barriers offered by vehicles. In this context, pedestrians, cyclists, and operators of horse-drawn vehicles fall under this category because they have limited protection on the road and are at a greater risk during interactions with motor vehicles. Their lower visibility and slower pace relative to motor traffic underscore their vulnerability.

Motorists, while they share the road, are not classified as vulnerable road users since they are protected by the structure of their vehicles. Public transportation users, depending on their behavior, may also not be considered vulnerable unless they are boarding or alighting from vehicles in unsafe conditions. Cyclists alone are a part of the vulnerable group, but not the entire category, as pedestrians and those operating horse-drawn vehicles are equally susceptible to accidents and injuries.