Cyclists are ‘not hooligans’: study

The perception of cyclists as ‘hooligans’ who ignore the rules of the road is a false one, according to a new study. "From our observations, we are unable to see any such anarchy among cyclists in traffic," says Sonja Forward, researcher at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI). As vulnerable road users (VRUs), cyclists’ behaviour in traffic is particularly important for their safety. VTI examined traffic on two bridges - Danvikstull and Liljeholmen – in Stockholm and concluded
April 23, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

The perception of cyclists as ‘hooligans’ who ignore the rules of the road is a false one, according to a new study.

"From our observations, we are unable to see any such anarchy among cyclists in traffic," says Sonja Forward, researcher at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (5230 VTI).

As vulnerable road users (VRUs), cyclists’ behaviour in traffic is particularly important for their safety. VTI examined traffic on two bridges - Danvikstull and Liljeholmen – in Stockholm and concluded that “people who complain that it is common for cyclists to bike however they want without due care and attention to others, are wrong”.

"There are, of course, those who are not considerate, but they are the exception rather than the rule,” adds Forward.

In its study, VTI found that:

  • Both cyclists and pedestrians are good at keeping to their own surfaces
  • Conflicts between cyclists are more common than bust-ups between cyclists and pedestrians
  • Cyclist/pedestrian problems occurred most often when pedestrians walked on the cycle lane - it was not as common for cyclists to stray onto the walkway
  • Motorists not giving way at junctions was the cause of the most serious arguments

“We saw cyclists who had the right of way when crossing and motorists who failed to give way,” Forward continues. “We also saw drivers who were considerate and acted as they should, but then other drivers behind beeped their horns.”

VTI recommends that, in places with a large number of cyclists, they should be separated from pedestrians. The organisation also wants the width of cycle lanes increased and for overtaking lanes to be introduced on uphill sections. Traffic signals should also be adapted for cyclists, in the same way they are currently adapted for motorists, VTI concludes.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

VTI

Related Content

  • Assessing the potential of in-vehicle enforcement systems
    December 4, 2012
    Jason Barnes considers the social and ethical ramifications of using in-vehicle safety technologies to fulfil enforcement functions. Although policy documents often imply close correlation between enforcement, compliance and safety – in part, as a counter to accusations that enforcement is rather more concerned with revenue generation – there is a noticeable reluctance among policy makers and auto manufacturers to exploit in-vehicle safety systems for enforcement applications. From a technical perspective t
    Read More
  • Substantial savings from smarter street lighting
    February 25, 2015
    As authorities strive to reduce expenditure and carbon emissions, Colin Sowman looks at some of the smart ways of managing street lighting while containing costs and maintaining safety. Street lighting can account for 40% of an authority’s energy consumption. So, faced with the need to reduce outgoings, some authorities are looking for smart ways of managing street lighting or even turning off swathes of street lights in the small hours. Back in 2008 the E-street Initiative report concluded that authorities
    Read More
  • Car drivers misled and endangered by words like ‘autonomous’
    June 13, 2018
    Carmakers using the word ‘autonomous’ are lulling UK drivers into a false sense of security, says a new report. The warning from Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) follows reports of drivers crashing because they are over-reliant on technology that is not fully autonomous. The partnership is now calling for manufacturers and legislators to clarify the capability of vehicles sold with technology that does some driving on behalf of motorists. Thatcham’s latest paper, Assi
    Read More
  • ITS asset management matters
    April 26, 2013
    Maintenance of on-road ITS kit needs to become more sophisticated; while new technologies can deliver better road maintenance. David Crawford investigates both sides of the issue "Good information is key to effective ITS asset maintenance,” says Ian Routledge of the Ian Routledge Consultancy (IRC), whose Imtrac (Information Management for TRAffic Control) system is poised for European expansion. Developed as an ‘intelligent filing cabinet’ for storing information about on-road equipment, the online database
    Read More

Highlighted Content