Unsafe cycling behaviours and near crashes among Italian cyclists

Predictors of older people's intention to engage in cycling violation behaviour with an integrative model

In China, bicycles are a popular mode of transportation for senior citizens. A disproportionate number of traffic-related fatalities and injuries involve cyclists. The violation of cycling laws is a significant cause of cyclist crashes. Few studies have analyzed the cycling violation behaviour of seniors. Therefore, it is essential to examine the factors that influence older individuals' intention to engage in cycling violation behaviours. In this study, the effects of social-demographic characteristics, the exogenous constructs in the health belief model (HBM), and the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) on senior cyclists' violation intention were investigated using hierarchical regression analysis. Interviews were conducted with older cyclists in urban areas of Wuhan City, all above 60 years of age. The results showed that very little variance in behavioural intention could be explained by social-demographic factors. The TPB has a significantly greater capacity than the HBM to explain variance in behavioural intention. Perceived susceptibility, perceived benefit, cues to action, subjective norm and attitude significantly impacted behavioural intention, whereas perceived severity, perceived barrier and self-efficacy did not.

Development of a hazard prediction test for Chinese cyclists and its association with crash involvement

Introduction

Hazard perception is the ability to sense the road environment and predict and respond to the upcoming dangerous events, and this factor is closely related to cyclists' crash involvement. However, due to a lack of valid instruments, studies concerning the hazard predictions and crashes of cyclists in China remain limited. This study attempted to develop a hazard prediction test for cyclists.

Method

The experiment presented 44 video clips filmed from cyclists' perspectives to 61 children aged 13-16 years and 119 adults aged 18-30 years. After the video clip displayed a black screen, participants were asked to answer the following questions: "What is the hazard?" (question 1), "Where is the hazard?" (question 2), and "What happens next?" (question 3). The differences in test scores between cyclists with high and low levels of experience, cyclists of different ages, and crash-involved and noncrash-involved cyclists were compared to examine the validity of the test.

Results

The final test contained 21 video clips and the internal consistency reliabilities of the three questions were satisfactory. Experienced cyclists are better able to identify and predict hazards than are cyclists with less experience, and adult cyclists have better hazard prediction abilities than child cyclists. More importantly, crash-involved cyclists receiving lower scores with respect to their ability to identify and predict hazards than noncrash-involved cyclists, thus indicating that the discriminant validity of the test was acceptable.

Practical applications

This newly-developed test exhibits acceptable reliability and validity and can be used as an effective tool to measure the hazard prediction abilities of cyclists with different ages and levels of experience in China. The natural driving videos and test in the study may hold promise for future practical applications, and the implications for road safety are discussed.

Is safety in the eye of the beholder? Discrepancies between self-reported and proxied data on road safety behaviors—A systematic review

Recent studies have problematized on the lack of agreement between self-reported and proxied data in the field of road safety-related behaviors. Overall, and although these studies are still scarce, most of them suggest that the way we perceive our own road behavior is systematically different from the perspective from which we perceive others' behavior, and vice versa. The aim of this review paper was to target the number and type of studies that have researched the behavioral perceptions of different groups of road users, contrasting self-reported behavioral data with those reported by other users (proxied), and their outcomes. This systematic review followed the PRISMA methodology, which allows for the identification of relevant articles based on the research term. A total number of 222 indexed articles were filtered, and a final selection of 19 articles directly addressing the issue was obtained. Search strategies were developed and conducted in MEDLINE, WOS, Scopus and APA databases. It is remarkable how road users perceive themselves as behaviorally “safer” than the rest of road users in what concerns the knowledge of traffic norms and their on-road performance. In addition, and regardless of the type of user used as a source, self-reported data suggest their perceived likelihood to suffer a traffic crash is lesser if compared to any other user. On the other hand, proxied reports tend to undervalue third users' performance, and to perceive riskier behaviors and crash-related risks among them. The outputs of this systematic review support the idea that the perception of road users' behavior and its related risks substantially differ according to the source. It is also necessary to increase the number, coverage and rigor of studies on this matter, perhaps through complementary and mixed measures, in order to properly understand and face the bias on road users' risk-related behaviors.

Unsafe Behaviors Analysis of Sideswipe Collision on Urban Expressways Based on Bayesian Network

The causes of crashes on urban expressways are mostly related to the unsafe behaviors of drivers before the crash. This study focuses on sideswipe collisions on urban expressways. Through real and visual crash data, 17 unsafe behaviors were identified for the analysis of sideswipe collisions on an urban expressway. The chains of high-risk and unsafe behaviors were then revealed to investigate the relationship between drivers’ unsafe behaviors and sideswipe collisions. A Bayesian network diagram of unsafe behaviors was used to obtain the correlation between unsafe behaviors and their influence. A topology diagram of unsafe behaviors was then constructed, and relational reasoning of typical behavioral chains was conducted. Finally, the unsafe behaviors and behavior chains that were likely to cause sideswipe collisions on the urban expressway were determined. The possibility of each behavior chain was quantified through the reasoning of variable structures constructed by the Bayesian network. The result shows that the significant influential single unsafe behavior leading to sideswipe collision on urban expressways was lane change without checking the rearview mirror or not scanning the road around and queue-jumping; moreover, based on unsafe behavior chains analysis, the most influential chains leading to sideswipe collision were: improper driving behavior in an emergency—failure to turn on signal when changing lanes—distracted and inattentive driving. Some safety precautions and countermeasures aimed at unsafe behaviors could be taken before the crash. The results of the study can be used to reduce the number of sideswipe collisions, thereby improving traffic safety on urban expressways.

Secondary task engagement, risk-taking, and safety-related equipment use in German bicycle and e-scooter riders - An observation

The behavioral safety of e-bike and e-scooter riders is a significant concern in traffic safety. In an observational study in Braunschweig, Germany, 4,514 bicycle and e-scooter riders were observed concerning their used vehicles type, secondary task engagement, use of additional safety equipment, and traffic rule violation. Overall, 13.4% of all riders were engaged in any secondary task, wearing headphones or earphones being the most frequent behavior (6.7%), followed by conversations with other cyclists (3.7%). Banned mobile phone use was low (0.8%). Secondary task engagement was positively correlated with traffic rule violations and at-fault conflicts and negatively with the use of additional safety equipment. Cluster analysis on vehicle types and behaviors revealed five groups of riders, two with relatively high numbers of risky behaviors: young and middle-aged, predominantly male riders of conventional bicycles, and a group of demographically similar users of electric bikes and e-scooters. Campaigns targeted at these specific groups may help reduce risky behaviors.

Environmentally friendly, but behaviorally complex? A systematic review of e-scooter riders' psychosocial risk features

INTRODUCTION

E-scooters have made a place for themselves on urban roads as an affordable, easy-to-use and environmentally friendly method of transportation. However, and partly because of their road behaviors and safety outcomes, e-scooter users have started to represent a focus of attention for transport planners and policymakers.

AIM

The present systematic review aims to target and analyze the existing studies investigating the psychosocial characteristics of e-scooter riders, focusing on their behavioral and risk-related features.

METHODS

For this systematic review, the PRISMA methodology was used, which allows for the selection of suitable papers based on the study topic, in accordance with a set of pre-defined criteria and a search algorithm. A total of 417 indexed articles were filtered, resulting in only 32 eligible original articles directly addressing the issue. WOS, Scopus, NCBI, Google Scholar, and APA databases were used to create and test search techniques.

RESULTS

At the literature level, most of the existing studies are distributed in a few regions of the globe. At the user's level, results show how e-scooters are most commonly used by young, highly educated, urban-dwelling males, usually for short trips. In regard to road behavior, individuals with the lowest degrees of risk perception remain more prone to engaging in risky road behaviors likely to increase their crash involvement. This might be worsened by the lack of normative e-scooter regulations (and their enforcement) in many countries, plus the marked absence of road training processes. As common limitations, it can be mentioned that 87.5% of these studies used self-report methods, while 59.4% had local coverage.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this systematic review endorse the growing need to develop and enforce traffic laws and training processes for e-scooter users. In addition, road safety education and training programs are highlighted by existing studies as potentially pertinent alternatives to increase risk perception, and reduce risky behaviors, road conflicts and crash likelihood among e-scooter riders.

Organizational resilience process: integrated model of safety culture

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to create substantial awareness for safety precautions and safety parameters to lessen occupational injuries and accidents. Utilization of safety culture phenomenon with its fundamental understanding has imperative consideration for safety compliance and participation behaviors. Thoughtful aim of this study is the extension of knowledge related to safety orientation particularly in primary health-care workforce.

Design/methodology/approach

Only slips and trips accounted for 40% of workplace injuries in nursing professionals. To identity, the data were collected through structured surveys from nursing professionals of public and private hospitals in Pakistan. To evaluate that data for current study, standardized regression coefficients (parameter estimation) with 95% confidence interval and 5,000 bootstrap samples were subjected. Confirmatory factor analysis was also used to measure the validity of study constructs.

Findings

The potential findings of present study have assured the presence of safety culture at workplace has potential to influences negative safety outcomes. In addition, safety compliance and safety participation as mediation paths would be the strengthening addition to safety model. These findings have extended the existing understanding of compliance and participation behaviors from single factor to two different constructs of safety orientation. This safety culture model offers an evidence-based approach to nursing practitioners and nursing managers with implications for nurse’s safety, education and training.

Originality/value

Occupational injuries and accidental happenings have adversely affecting the quality of care, patient’s recovery spam, satisfaction level and psychological health in care agents. This study has proposed a comprehensive model for understanding the mechanism of possible and reliable safety implications at health-care units. Prior knowledge has limitation to the inevitable effects of occupational injuries only rather than focusing on corrective actions against this phenomenon.

Bicycle Rider Behavior and Crash Involvement in Australia

This research investigated how behaviours and attitudes of bicycle riders influence crash frequency and severity. The study recruited 1102 Australian bicycle riders for an online survey. The survey comprised questions on demographics, frequency of riding and the number and severity of traffic crashes during the last five years. The survey included the Cycling Behaviour Questionnaire and the Cyclist Risk Perception and Regulation Scale. Overall, there were low levels of errors and violations reported by participants indicating that these behaviours were on average never or rarely exhibited while riding a bicycle. Conversely, participants reported high levels of engagement in positive behaviours and reported high levels of traffic rule knowledge and risk perception. Higher rates of violations and errors were associated with increased crash likelihood, while higher rates of positive behaviours were associated with reduced rates of crash involvement in a period of 5 years. The findings highlight the relationship between errors, total crashes and crash severity Further promotion of positive behaviours amongst riders may also help to reduce the risk of crashes.

Improving knowledge of cyclist crashes based on hospital data including crash descriptions from open text fields

INTRODUCTION

In this study we explore the added value of bicycle crash descriptions from open text fields in hospital records from the Aarhus municipality in Denmark. We also explore how bicycle crash data from the hospital complements crash data registered by the police in the same area and time period.

METHOD

The study includes 5,313 Danish bicycle crashes, of which 4,205 were registered at the hospital and 1,078 by the police. All crashes occurred from 2010 to 2015. We performed an in-depth analysis of the open text fields on hospital records to identify factors associated with each crash using four categories: bicyclist, road, bicycle, and the other party. We employed the chi-squared test to compare the distribution of variables between crashes registered at the hospital and by the police. A binary logit model was used to estimate the probability that a crash factor is identified, and that each crash factor is associated with a single-bicycle crash.

RESULTS

The open-ended text fields in hospital records provide detailed information about crash factors not available in police records, including riding speed, inattention, clothing, specific road conditions, and bicycle defects. The factors alcohol and curb had the highest odds of being identified in relation to a single-bicycle crash. Crash data registered at the hospital included a larger number of bicycle crashes, particularly single-bicycle crashes and crashes with slight injuries only.

CONCLUSION

Crash information registered at the hospital in Aarhus Municipality contributes to a better understanding of bicycle crashes due to detailed information about crash-associated factors as well as information about a larger number of bicycle crashes, particularly single-bicycle crashes. Practical implication: Efforts to improve access to detailed information about bicycle crashes are needed to provide a better basis for bicycle crash prevention.

Personality traits as predictors of cyclist behaviour

Road user behaviour and personality traits are important determinants of driver crash risk. While a great deal of research has been undertaken to understand the relationships between crash involvement, behaviours and personality traits for motor vehicle drivers, comparatively few studies have considered these factors for cyclists. This manuscript presents the findings of a study conducted amongst a sample of six hundred and fifteen (615) Australian cyclists, investigating these issues. The aim of this research was to establish a structure for a cycling behaviour questionnaire applicable to a cohort of Australian cyclists. Using the dimensions identified from the questionnaire, the research investigated the relationship between self-reported crashes, behaviours and personality traits, in order to further develop our understanding of risk factors associated with cycling. Personality traits (agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism and openness to experience) were measured using the Big Five Inventory. While cyclist behaviour was measured using a modified version of the cyclist behaviour questionnaire developed by the Dutch national road safety research centre (SWOV). Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was performed on the cycling behaviour questionnaire to identify underlying subscales of behaviour. The PCA identified a two dimension model representing violations (α = 0.74) and errors (α = 0.65), consisting of 16 items from the original 22 item cyclist behaviour questionnaire. Linear regressions for each of the cyclist behaviour factors identified that age was negatively associated with errors and violations, indicating that older cyclists report fewer errors or violations. Similarly, there was a negative association with average weekly kilometres travelled. Gender was a significant predictor of errors, but not violations, with male cyclists reporting fewer errors than females. When considering personality traits, there was a positive association between extroversion and both errors and violations. Significant negative associations were identified for agreeableness and conscientiousness. Neither neuroticism nor openness to experience were associated with the frequency of errors or violations. The research identified that demographics, travel characteristics and personality traits provide insight into engagement in aberrant cycling behaviours and these behaviours are associated with self-reported crash involvement. The research provides insight into behaviours that could be targeted with appropriate education and enforcement strategies.

Distraction of cyclists: how does it influence their risky behaviors and traffic crashes?

Background

Undisputedly, traffic crashes constitute a public health concern whose impact and importance have been increasing during the past few decades. Specifically, road safety data have systematically shown how cyclists are highly vulnerable to suffering traffic crashes and severe injuries derived from them. Furthermore, although the empirical evidence is still very limited in this regard, in addition to other human factors involved in cycling crashes, distractions while cycling appear to be a major contributor to the road risk of cyclists.

Objectives

The main objectives of this study were, first, to explore the prevalence and trends of cycling distractions within an international sample of bike users, and second, to determine the influence of such distractions on road crashes suffered by cyclists, simultaneously considering the explanatory role of risky behaviors (errors and traffic violations) as potentially mediating variables between cycling distractions and traffic crashes.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, we analyzed the data obtained from 1,064 cyclists—61.2% male and 38.8% female—from 20 different countries, who answered an on-line questionnaire on cycling-related features, habits, behaviors and accidents.

Results

The prevalence of different cycling distractions oscillated between 34.7% and 83.6%. The most common distractions were those related to the behavior of other users, physical elements of the road, weather conditions and phone calls. Age trends and differences were also found, thus establishing a positive association between age and distractibility during cycling. Furthermore, the effect of distractions on traffic crashes of cyclists was significant when tested together with age, risk perception and risky behaviors on the road.

Conclusion

The results of this study support the hypotheses that distractions have a major prevalence among bike users, and that they play a significant role in the prediction of the traffic crash rates of cyclists, through the mediation of risky behaviors.

Cyclists' Anger As Determinant of Near Misses Involving Different Road Users

Road anger constitutes one of the determinant factors related to safety outcomes (e.g., accidents, near misses). Although cyclists are considered vulnerable road users due to their relatively high rate of fatalities in traffic, previous research has solely focused on car drivers, and no study has yet investigated the effect of anger on cyclists’ safety outcomes. The present research aims to investigate, for the first time, the effects of cycling anger toward different types of road users on near misses involving such road users and near misses in general. Using a daily diary web-based questionnaire, we collected data about daily trips, bicycle use, near misses experienced, cyclist’s anger and demographic information from 254 Spanish cyclists. Poisson regression was used to assess the association of cycling anger with near misses, which is a count variable. No relationship was found between general cycling anger and near misses occurrence. Anger toward specific road users had different effects on the probability of near misses with different road users. Anger toward the interaction with car drivers increased the probability of near misses involving cyclists and pedestrians. Anger toward interaction with pedestrians was associated with higher probability of near misses with pedestrians. Anger toward cyclists exerted no effect on the probability of near misses with any road user (i.e., car drivers, cyclists or pedestrians), whereas anger toward the interactions with the police had a diminishing effect on the occurrence of near misses’ involving all types of road users. The present study demonstrated that the effect of road anger on safety outcomes among cyclists is different from that of motorists. Moreover, the target of anger played an important role on safety both for the cyclist and the specific road users. Possible explanations for these differences are based on the difference in status and power with motorists, as well as on the potential displaced aggression produced by the fear of retaliation by motorized vehicle users.