Previous studies have revealed the relevance of e-bike use, perception of driving behavior of motorists, and instrumental and affective factors in work and leisure journeys among regular cyclists. However, the importance of these factors as predictors of bicycle crash involvement and severity is less well-known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of journey attributes, e-bike use, and perception of driving behavior of motorists in predicting bicycle crash involvement and severity, while controlling for sociodemographic factors, cycling levels, cycling environment, and purposes of cycling. We collected data from an online panel of 2,389 respondents from six European countries (Sweden, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, Spain). Using the generalized linear model, we found that both bicycle crash involvement and severity were related to lower age, being employed, using the bicycle for traveling to or from college/university, not using the bicycle for leisure/training, and using an e-bike. Bicycle crash severity was associated with lower affective attributes, higher instrumental attributes, and the perception of good driving behavior of motorists.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
European Commission. Quality of Transport. Special Eurobarometer 422a/Wave EB82.2 – TNS Opinion & Social. European Union, 2014.
2.
KellyP.KahlmeierS.GötschiT.OrsiniN.RichardsJ.RobertsN.ScarboroughP.FosterC.Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Reduction in All-Cause Mortality from Walking and Cycling and Shape of Dose Response Relationship. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2014, p. 132.
3.
GötschiT.GarrardJ.Giles-CortiB.Cycling as a Part of Daily Life: A Review of Health Perspectives. Transport Reviews, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2016, pp. 45–71.
4.
de NazelleA.NieuwenhuijsenM. J.AntóJ. M.BrauerM.BriggsD.Braun-FahrlanderC.CavillN.CooperA. R.DesqueyrouxH.FruinS.HoekG.Improving Health through Policies That Promote Active Travel: A Review of Evidence to Support Integrated Health Impact Assessment. Environment International, Vol. 37, No. 4, 2011, pp. 766–777.
5.
XiaT.ZhangY.CrabbS.ShahP.Cobenefits of Replacing Car Trips with Alternative Transportation: A Review of Evidence and Methodological Issues. Journal of Environmental and Public Health, Vol. 2013, 2013, p. 14.
6.
MacmillanA.ConnorJ.WittenK.KearnsR.ReesD.WoodwardA.The Societal Costs and Benefits of Commuter Bicycling: Simulating the Effects of Specific Policies using System Dynamics Modeling. Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 122, No. 4, 2014, pp. 335–344.
7.
PratiG.PuchadesV. M.PietrantoniL.Cyclists as a Minority Group?Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 47, 2017, pp. 34–41.
8.
HeinenE.van WeeB.MaatK.Commuting by Bicycle: An Overview of the Literature. Transport Reviews, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2010, pp. 59–96.
9.
SchepersP.HagenziekerM.MethorstR.van WeeB.WegmanF.A Conceptual Framework for Road Safety and Mobility Applied to Cycling Safety. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 62, 2014, pp. 331–340.
10.
PratiG.PuchadesV. M.De AngelisM.FraboniF.PietrantoniL.Factors Contributing to Bicycle–Motorised Vehicle Collisions: A Systematic Literature Review. Transport Reviews, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2018, pp. 184–208.
11.
AnableJ.GaterslebenB.All Work and No Play? The Role of Instrumental and Affective Factors in Work and Leisure Journeys by Different Travel Modes. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Vol. 39, No. 2–3, 2005, pp. 163–181.
12.
PuchadesV. M.FassinaF.FraboniF.De AngelisM.PratiG.de WaardD.PietrantoniL.The Role of Perceived Competence and Risk Perception in Cycling near Misses. Safety Science, Vol. 105, 2018, pp. 167–177.
13.
ChaurandN.DelhommeP.Cyclists and Drivers in Road Interactions: A Comparison of Perceived Crash Risk. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 50, 2013, pp. 1176–1184.
14.
O’ConnorJ. P.BrownT. D.Riding with the Sharks: Serious Leisure Cyclist’s Perceptions of Sharing the Road with Motorists. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2010, pp. 53–58.
15.
HeeschK. C.SahlqvistS.GarrardJ.Cyclists’ Experiences of Harassment from Motorists: Findings from a Survey of Cyclists in Queensland, Australia. Preventive Medicine, Vol. 53, No. 6, 2011, pp. 417–420.
16.
ChatawayE. S.KaplanS.NielsenT. A. S.PratoC. G.Safety Perceptions and Reported Behavior Related to Cycling in Mixed Traffic: A Comparison between Brisbane and Copenhagen. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 23, 2014, pp. 32–43.
17.
ChongS.PoulosR.OlivierJ.WatsonW. L.GrzebietaR.Relative Injury Severity among Vulnerable Non-Motorised Road Users: Comparative Analysis of Injury Arising from Bicycle–Motor Vehicle and Bicycle–Pedestrian Collisions. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 42, No. 1, 2010, pp. 290–296.
18.
NicajL.StaytonC.Mandel-RicciJ.McCarthyP.GrassoK.WolochD.KerkerB.Bicyclist Fatalities in New York City: 1996–2005. Traffic Injury Prevention, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2009, pp. 157–161.
19.
RosenkranzK. M.SheridanR. L.Trauma to Adult Bicyclists: A Growing Problem in the Urban Environment. Injury, Vol. 34, No. 11, 2003, pp. 825–829.
20.
SzeN. N.TsuiK. L.SoF. L.WongS. C.Bicycle-Related Crashes in Hong Kong: Is It Possible to Reduce Mortality and Severe Injury in the Metropolitan Area?Hong Kong Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2011, pp. 136–143.
21.
RoweB. H.RoweA. M.BotaG. W.Bicyclist and Environmental Factors Associated with Fatal Bicycle-Related Trauma in Ontario. Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 152, No. 1, 1995, pp. 45–53.
22.
FishmanE.CherryC.E-Bikes in the Mainstream: Reviewing a Decade of Research. Transport Reviews, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2016, pp. 72–91.
23.
SchepersP.FishmanE.den HertogP.WoltK. K.SchwabA. L.The Safety of Electrically Assisted Bicycles Compared to Classic Bicycles. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 73, 2014, pp. 174–180.
24.
YaoL.WuC.Traffic Safety for Electric Bike Riders in China: Attitudes, Risk Perception, and Aberrant Riding Behaviors. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2012. 2314: 49–56.
25.
PoulosR. G.HatfieldJ.RisselC.FlackL. K.MurphyS.GrzebietaR.McIntoshA. S.Characteristics, Cycling Patterns, and Crash and Injury Experiences at Baseline of a Cohort of Transport and Recreational Cyclists in New South Wales, Australia. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 78, 2015, pp. 155–164.
26.
FeenstraH.RuiterR. A. C.KokG.Evaluating Traffic Informers: Testing the Behavioral and Social-Cognitive Effects of an Adolescent Bicycle Safety Education Program. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 73, 2014, pp. 288–295.
27.
CallegaroM.BakerR. P.BethlehemJ.GöritzA. S.KrosnickJ. A.LavrakasP. J.Online Panel Research: A Data Quality Perspective. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.
28.
PetzoldtT.SchleinitzK.KremsJ. F.GehlertT.Drivers’ Gap Acceptance in Front of Approaching Bicycles – Effects of Bicycle Speed and Bicycle Type. Safety Science, Vol. 92, 2017, pp. 283–289.
29.
SchleinitzK.PetzoldtT.Franke-BartholdtL.KremsJ.GehlertT.The German Naturalistic Cycling Study – Comparing Cycling Speed of Riders of Different E-Bikes and Conventional Bicycles. Safety Science, Vol. 92, 2017, pp. 290–297.
30.
LangfordB. C.ChenJ.CherryC. R.Risky Riding: Naturalistic Methods Comparing Safety Behavior from Conventional Bicycle Riders and Electric Bike Riders. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 82, 2015, pp. 220–226.
31.
LinS.HeM.TanY.HeM.Comparison Study on Operating Speeds of Electric Bicycles and Bicycles: Experience from Field Investigation in Kunming, China. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2008. 2048: 52–59.
32.
DozzaM.PiccininiG. F. B.WernekeJ.Using Naturalistic Data to Assess E-Cyclist Behavior. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 41, 2016, pp. 217–226.
33.
PetzoldtT.SchleinitzK.HeilmannS.GehlertT.Traffic Conflicts and Their Contextual Factors when Riding Conventional vs. Electric Bicycles. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 46, 2017, pp. 477–490.
34.
PopovichN.GordonE.ShaoZ.XingY.WangY.HandyS.Experiences of Electric Bicycle Users in the Sacramento, California Area. Travel Behaviour and Society, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2014, pp. 37–44.
35.
PratiG.PietrantoniL.FraboniF.Using Data Mining Techniques to Predict the Severity of Bicycle Crashes. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 101, 2017, pp. 44–54.
36.
KayJ. J.SavolainenP. T.GatesT. J.DattaT. K.Driver Behavior during Bicycle Passing Maneuvers in Response to a Share the Road Sign Treatment. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 70, 2014, pp. 92–99.
37.
HessG.PetersonM. N.“Bicycles May Use Full Lane” Signage Communicates U.S. Roadway Rules and Increases Perception of Safety. PLoS One, Vol. 10, No. 8, 2015, p. e0136973.
38.
TwiskD. A. M.StaceyC.Trends in Young Driver Risk and Countermeasures in European Countries. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2007, pp. 245–257.
39.
TurnerC.McClureR.Age and Gender Differences in Risk-Taking Behaviour as an Explanation for High Incidence of Motor Vehicle Crashes as a Driver in Young Males. Injury Control and Safety Promotion, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2003, pp. 123–130.
40.
ArnettJ. J.Developmental Sources of Crash Risk in Young Drivers. Injury Prevention, Vol. 8, No. suppl 2, 2002, pp. ii17–ii23.
41.
YanX.MaM.HuangH.Abdel-AtyM.WuC.Motor Vehicle–Bicycle Crashes in Beijing: Irregular Maneuvers, Crash Patterns, and Injury Severity. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 43, No. 5, 2011, pp. 1751–1758.
42.
TinS. T.WoodwardA.AmeratungaS.Injuries to Pedal Cyclists on New Zealand Roads, 1988-2007. BMC Public Health, Vol. 10, No. 1, 2010, p. 655.
43.
PratiG.De AngelisM.FraboniV. M.PuchadesF.PietrantoniL.Characteristics of Cyclist Crashes in Italy using Latent Class Analysis and Association Rule Mining. PLoS One, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2017, p. e0171484.
44.
JohnsonM.CharltonJ.OxleyJ.NewsteadS.Why do Cyclists Infringe at Red Lights? An Investigation of Australian Cyclists’ Reasons for Red Light Infringement. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 50, 2013, pp. 840–847.
45.
BernhoftI. M.CarstensenG.Preferences and Behaviour of Pedestrians and Cyclists by Age and Gender. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2008, pp. 83–95.
46.
DeffenbacherJ. L.Anger, Aggression, and Risky Behavior on the Road: A Preliminary Study of Urban and Rural Differences. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 38, No. 1, 2008, pp. 22–36.
47.
TwiskD. A. M.VlakveldW. P.CommandeurJ. J. F.ShopeJ. T.KokG.Five Road Safety Education Programmes for Young Adolescent Pedestrians and Cyclists: A Multi-Programme Evaluation in a Field Setting. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 66, 2014, pp. 55–61.
48.
Molina-GarcíaJ.CastilloI.SallisJ. F.Psychosocial and Environmental Correlates of Active Commuting for University Students. Preventive Medicine, Vol. 51, No. 2, 2010, pp. 136–138.
49.
de GeusB.VandenbulckeG.PanisL. I.ThomasI.DegraeuweB.CumpsE.AertsensJ.TorfsR.MeeusenR.A Prospective Cohort Study on Minor Accidents Involving Commuter Cyclists in Belgium. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 45, 2012, pp. 683–693.
50.
KimJ.-K.KimS.UlfarssonG. F.PorrelloL. A.Bicyclist Injury Severities in Bicycle–Motor Vehicle Accidents. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2007, pp. 238–251.
51.
PoulosR. G.HatfieldJ.RisselC.FlackL. K.MurphyS.GrzebietaR.McIntoshA. S.Characteristics, Cycling Patterns, and Crash and Injury Experiences at Baseline of a Cohort of Transport and Recreational Cyclists in New South Wales, Australia. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 78, 2015, pp. 155–164.
