BikeSAFER
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | CHALMERS TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLA AKTIEBOLAG - Chalmers tekniska högskola |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 716 000 |
| Project duration | July 2012 - May 2013 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
BikeSAFER collected and analyzed naturalistic cycling data casting new light on cyclist behavior, bicycle dynamics, and bicycle accident causation. This project was a SAFER associated project and leveraged on synergies from other projects such as 1) BikeSAFE to provide a richer set of results from a larger data set than originally planned, 2) BikeCOM to develop a conceptual smartphone App to increase cycling safety at intersection, and 3) BikeSING to understand single-bike accidents by combining naturalistic and accident data.
Results and expected effects
BikeSAFER showed that cycling in proximity of an intersection increases the risk of experiencing a safety critical situation fourfold (twelve fold if the intersection presents any visual obstruction). Bicycle dynamics are significantly larger in critical situations. 33% of the intersections are passed despite the red light, 23% of all bikes do not have proper lighting at night. Data from BikeSAFER can, and will, be reused for further analyses. Several publications (including two scientific papers, and four conference contributions) originated from this project.
Approach and implementation
BikeSAFER collected naturalistic data from 20 cyclists who took turns riding 5 instrumented bicycles. This data, about 1.3 Tbyte, is presently unique in the world. During the study, the cyclists experienced 63 critical events including 6 crashes and 57 near crashes. Data analyses focused on cycling safety by comparing cyclist behavior, bicycle dynamics, and environmental factors between critical and random events. One of the BikeSAFER bicycle is now in Ann Arbor (USA) and continues collection as part of SAFETY Pilot: the largest on going collection of naturalistic telematic data.