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

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  • Gadsby, April
  • Hagenzieker, Marjan
  • Watkins, Kari

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.

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  • Gadsby, April & Hagenzieker, Marjan & Watkins, Kari, 2021. "An international comparison of the self-reported causes of cyclist stress using quasi-naturalistic cycling," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:91:y:2021:i:c:s0966692320310097
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2020.102932
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    1. Vandenbulcke, Grégory & Dujardin, Claire & Thomas, Isabelle & Geus, Bas de & Degraeuwe, Bart & Meeusen, Romain & Panis, Luc Int, 2011. "Cycle commuting in Belgium: Spatial determinants and 're-cycling' strategies," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 118-137, February.
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    1. Uijtdewilligen, Teun & Baran Ulak, Mehmet & Jan Wijlhuizen, Gert & Geurs, Karst T., 2024. "Effects of crowding on route preferences and perceived safety of urban cyclists in the Netherlands," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    2. Ravensbergen, Léa & Buliung, Ron & Sersli, Stephanie & Winters, Meghan, 2021. "Guest editorial: Critical Vélomobilities," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Christian Werner & Elisabeth Füssl & Jannik Rieß & Bernd Resch & Florian Kratochwil & Martin Loidl, 2022. "A Framework to Facilitate Advanced Mixed Methods Studies for Investigating Interventions in Road Space for Cycling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-22, December.
    4. Gaetano BOSURGI & Orazio PELLEGRINO & Joanna WACHNICKA & Romanika OKRASZEWSKA, 2021. "Road Safety For Cyclists Based On The Calories Needed," Transport Problems, Silesian University of Technology, Faculty of Transport, vol. 16(1), pages 113-126, March.

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