Study finds smart warning system enhances e-cyclist safety at high-risk locations
Comments Off on Study finds smart warning system enhances e-cyclist safety at high-risk locationsSource: Nieuws Fietsberaad
A recent field study conducted by the University of Twente and Saxion demonstrates the potential of smart cycling technology to improve safety for e-bike riders.
The study, conducted in Enschede during April and May 2024, revealed that cyclists equipped with a prototype warning system felt safer and exhibited reduced speeds at locations deemed high-risk for accidents.
The field study participants stated that they felt safer on electric bicycles when they received warnings via smart bicycle technology about locations with a high accident risk. Another effect of the technology was that the average speed of participants also decreased.
Field study setting
It took place in Enschede in the Netherlands and involved 46 regular cyclists aged 18 and over. They rode an e-bike equipped with sensors to measure their cycling behaviour with two smartphones mounted on the handlebars. One had a navigation system and the other featured a prototype warning system which displayed the cyclist’s speed and gave warnings if the cyclist rode close to one of five locations which had a high accident risk on their route. They were advised to ride at 20 km/h and, if they were cycling faster than this they would see a red screen, and a green screen if they were cycling slower than the advised speed.
Three study rounds to measure rider experiences
The prototype warning system was switched off for the first round, with cyclists only being shown their current speed. It was switched on for the second and third rounds where, as well as the visual screen warning, they received an audio warning for one round, and a tactile warning via gloves for the other. Participants completed a questionnaire to detail their rider safety, confidence and other system experiences.
Results
The results showed that participants felt safer on the bike when the system was in operation. They found it easy to use but their confidence in it was not very high. When the system was in operation, the average rider speed was lower. Men reduced their speed more than women, but women arrived at the dangerous locations at a lower speed. People who cycled a regular bike or e-bike weekly were more likely to reduce their speed based on audio feedback than based on haptic feedback.
Smart bike technology is viewed to be one of the possibilities for increasing cycling safety by preventing accidents; whether it will make it to market will depend on how riders view it. The study authors believe that their findings show that there is potential for this type of warning system, and for more advanced technology. The study results can be accessed here from the scientific journal of Cycling and Micromobility research.