http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: "Could tricks from behavioural science make city cycling safer?" en Wed, 13 May 2026 03:00:14 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149977 Wed, 23 Apr 2014 14:09:12 +0000 crowriver 149977@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In any case, it's the wrong question. The stats show that city cycling is some of the safest cycling there is, especially away from busy main roads. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it is rural cycling that is more hazardous, especially where there is no alternative to using a fast road. This is all related to the speed at which motor vehicles are travelling. In cities they generally can't go that fast. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149970 Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:49:02 +0000 rust 149970@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think that's very different from hi-viz or flashy lights. Rather than saying look!, look!, look! that light says bicycle!.</p> <p>I find whenever I come across something unusual or unexpected on the road it takes me a fraction of a second longer to work out what it is*. I see it, my brain sees it, but as it doesn't expect it or hasn't seen it regularly enough it can't autopilot a response and instead requires me to engage with things properly - which takes longer.</p> <p>*Obviously I expect bicycles, and obviously I drive in such a way that I can cope with the unexpected, and obviously everyone should drive like that... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149965 Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:37:10 +0000 Roibeard 149965@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm with Instography in thinking that this may present only a temporary benefit, but not with him on thinking that we can prevent driving around on autopilot.</p> <p>It's not that it's impossible to do, but rather that not everyone can expect to be a pilot or a <a href="http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/raf-pilot-teach-cyclists/">fighter pilot</a> yet society expects anyone to be a driver. I don't think society will accept driving being done only by the elite, so driving will continue to be done by the distracted amateur with little comprehension of physics.</p> <p>Actually, re-reading Inst's post, I'm applying a higher standard than simply "active attention", however I'm not sure we can get to even that stage!</p> <p>I think we need engineering and fail-safe solutions to avoid the human weak link, not expecting the human to be more aware...</p> <p>Robert </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149837 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:46:00 +0000 crowriver 149837@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To answer the question in a single word: no. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149835 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:33:22 +0000 Instography 149835@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Apart from the extended advertisement for a set of bike lights, which might have a short-term novelty effect, I think the main problem with the article is that it starts from and accepts the assumption that "Drivers are essentially on auto-pilot. The brain is operating on a system one, intuitive level, making snap decisions."</p> <p>I'm not sure that's true but even if it were, there is surely only a limited role for compensatory adaptation by other road users. We seem to have reached a stage where the effects of novelty clothing - hi viz - and other types of novelty lighting - blinkies - have worn off so I can't say that I see much long term benefit from this novelty.</p> <p>No, I'd rather we didn't accept driving around on autopilot. I'd rather we insisted that driving is a serious business that needs your active attention. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=12639#post-149830 Tue, 22 Apr 2014 12:51:04 +0000 Stickman 149830@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/apr/22/city-cycling-safety-tricks-behavioural-science">Link</a></p> <p>I've seen the Brainy Bike Lights mentioned elsewhere. </p>