An international comparison of the self-reported causes of cyclist stress using quasi-naturalistic cycling

Abstract

This study explores the influences of attitudes and setting on cyclists' stated causes of stress using survey techniques and quasi-naturalistic cycling in both Delft, The Netherlands and Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The study recruited 28 participants in Delft and 41 in Atlanta. Participants cycled approximately 30 min on specified routes in both cities on an instrumented bicycle. Prior to cycling, the participants filled in a written survey about their cycling habits, attitudes, and demographics. At specified points during and after the ride, participants were interviewed about their stress levels throughout the ride and the causes of those stress levels. Thematic analysis and statistical methods are used to understand the interactions of setting (country), attitudes, stated stress, and sensor data. The top three stressors were motor vehicles, pavement, and poor infrastructure; 83% of participants mentioned a motor vehicle causing stress, 64% mentioned road surface, and 58% mentioned infrastructure. The results confirm the importance of motor vehicle interaction to cyclist stress, but also highlight some new insights on stress such as the importance of pavement condition. Speed differentials between cyclists and vehicles were also shown to be important and suggested cyclists in Delft felt comfortable to travel their ideal speed. This speed preference was supported by GPS data that showed the cyclists in Delft were cycling at speeds about half (12 kph) that of the cyclists in Atlanta (24 kph). Review of close-pass events demonstrated that cyclists in Delft were more comfortable with closer passes which could be associated with their belief that motorists notice them and/or speed differences between the vehicle and bicycle. The results also suggest that number of vehicle travel lanes can have mixed impacts on cyclist stress. These findings can be taken into consideration when designing bicycle facilities to create low-stress cycling networks.

A Framework to Facilitate Advanced Mixed Methods Studies for Investigating Interventions in Road Space for Cycling

“…While Shay et al [21], Lucas et al [22] and Vasilev et al [23] do not collect any quantitative data in the field, other authors combine in situ measurements with qualitative data. Gadsby et al [24] present a mixed methods approach where self-stated behavior variables are compared to sensor data from an equipped bicycle. Coded qualitative data are related to environmental variables in order to identify stressors.…”

Road Safety for Cyclists Based on the Calories Needed

“…In this respect, Vlakveld et al [28] reported an increase in workload measurements compared to younger users and a simultaneous decrease in speed, a sign that the latter cannot always be taken as a reference for safety. In terms of the factors that influence cyclists' stress, Gadsby et al [29] published a large study involving trials in the Netherlands and the United States. Among the causes reported by users, those relating to interaction with motor vehicles, pavement conditions and road geometry are the most commonly reported.…”

The Bicycle Network Improvement Problem

“…As the 10th most congested city in the US, and with a bicycle infrastructure scored in the red category (Reed, 2019), Atlanta makes for an interesting test case. Compared to the city of Delft in the Netherlands, cyclists in Atlanta are over two times more likely (78% versus 32%) to report poor road infrastructure as a cause of stress (Gadsby et al, 2021). Furthermore, a survey by the Atlanta Department of City Planning mentions that 70% of people in the city currently feel uncomfortable to ride a bike (Bottoms, 2018).…”