Measuring cycle riding comfort in Southampton using an instrumented bicycle

Abstract

The increased environmental awareness and the rising fuel costs make bicycles a more and more attractive mode of travel for short journeys. Considering the future prospect of this mode of transportation and the great advantages that it offers in terms of space consumption, health and environmental sustainability, several city authorities worldwide are presently undertaking schemes aiming at improving cycling infrastructure. The aim of the present study is to monitor the impact of such schemes on the riding comfort of cyclists, as expressed by the, usually lower, quantity and magnitude of vibrations occurring as a result of cycling over pavement defects. Millbrook Road East in the western edge of the city center of Southampton is used as a case study, where vibration measurements are taken by means of an instrumented bicycle during periods before and after a redevelopment scheme involving the resurfacing of the road pavement. The results show a clear overall improvement in cycling comfort postredevelopment, with statistically significant reductions in both the number of high severity vibrations and of their magnitude in "typical" cycling trips taken on the road. However, instances of finishing "snags" in some parts of the surface appear to introduce new minor defects (e.g. around manholes) that are not visible to the naked eye, and these still have some negative effect on the riding experience. Moreover, the study highlights the detrimental impact that widespread pavement defects can have on riding comfort, which affect cyclists of all ages, abilities and styles.

Analysing the Vibration of Bicycles on Various Road Surfaces in the City of Zilina

“…The idea is not new -there have been several trials with a bicycle representing the main instrument for ride comfort analysis. Some studies conducted the test with instrumental [38] or probe bicycles [52,53,56].…”

Bicycle Level of Service: Proposed Updated Pavement Quality Index

“…Similarly, the maintenance category will introduce evaluation of bikeway pavement color, where applicable, volume of debris, and frequency of snow plowing. All categories motivate maximizing comfort for riders through minimizing surface properties that can cause impacts through the handlebars and saddle-two critical contact points between the user and the road (3,5,(19)(20)(21)(22).…”

“…As the current practice acknowledges, potholes and cracks are fundamental factors to rider comfort (3,(19)(20)(21)(22). In a previous study, with over 160 open-ended responses to the question ''What would you do to improve the cycle track?…”

Utilizing Intelligent Portable Bicycle Lights to Assess Urban Bicycle Infrastructure Surfaces

“…Additionally, the pavement surface quality frequently influences riders' selection of the ideal route [23,24]. Therefore, bicycle paths and roadways dedicated to bicycles should be smooth, requiring minimum effort [25][26][27]. In evaluating the best routes for cyclists, a component of bicycle network assessment, the surface pavement type, is included (along with other parameters, such as traffic volumes and road width) [28,29].…”