Researchers in The Netherlands are investigating how bicycle infrastructure might be improved to increase cyclist visibility and the ability of the cyclist to navigate the cycle path or road. The aim is to reduce accidents particularly for older users and cyclists with visual impairments, such as presbyopia. Details are reported in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics.
Eva Fabriek and Dick de Waard of the Neuropsychology/Traffic Psychology Group, at the University of Groningen are working with Paul Schepers of the Centre for Transport and Navigation at the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, in Delft, to improve the safety of cyclists. They explain that the visual characteristics of road infrastructure play an important part in accidents involving bicycles. They have focused on finding the most common situations that lead to cyclists being involved in accidents and so investigating ways to improve or remove those conditions that make cyclists vulnerable.
The team carried out surveys with visually impaired cyclists and older cyclists as well as track tests. They found that bollards, kerbs, and cycle path markings and shoulders are the most critical visual elements of road infrastructure concerning cyclist safety. Additionally, the performance of cyclists and their general feelings of safety are worsened in places where obstacles are obscured and the course of the road or cycle path is poorest.
The researchers suggest that visibility can be enhanced by placing red-white bollards, painting kerbs white, by enhancing clarity of the shoulder of the road or by applying high contrast road markings on the side of the cycle path/road. All these measures in combination can increase the contrast between cycle route and the periphery.
“Several of the findings of this study are important for professionals in the fields of road design and road safety,” the team says. “Firstly, the number of obstacles in the infrastructure should preferably be minimised. However, when a bollard, to prevent other vehicles from entering a cycle path, cannot be avoided the standard red-white bollard is the best choice.” They add that, “Given the purpose of bollards, to keep cars off cycle tracks, they should also be visible to drivers.”
“Improving the visibility of bicycle infrastructure” in Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, 2012, 1, 98-115