01506387

Component

Cyclists, much like drivers, have always been engaged in multi-tasking activities like using hand-held devices, listening to music, snacking, or reading while bicycling. While distracted drivers endanger themselves and other, distracted bikers, in general present more risk to themselves than to others. Distracted bicycling, however, has not received similar interventions to address safety related issues. This study reviewed the state-of-knowledge on policies, programs, data sources, and identified data collection opportunities and research needs. Literature review conducted in this study revealed only six (6) past studies that investigated the effect of distracted bicycling. The review also found that several agencies/organizations listed the use of portable electronic devices while cycling as unsafe behavior. Some of the agencies/organizations in the United States, Canada, Belgium, Bermuda, Germany, and New Zealand have implemented interventions to curb distracted bicycling such as education, awareness programs, and legislation. The majority of the legislation enacted ban the use of headphones or earphones in or on one or both ears and few ban hand-held phones while cycling. In addition to these, one law common to all U.S. states and District of Columbia restricts cyclists from carrying bundles, articles or objects that prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars which indirectly addresses distracted bicycling.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANF20 Bicycle Transportation.

01503729

14-0037

English

22p

2014

Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References; Tables

Bicycling; Cyclists; Data collection; Distraction; Literature reviews; Policy; Safety programs; Traffic safety

Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; I10: Economics and Administration; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2014 Paper #14-0037

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jan 27 2014 2:08PM