Citation

Jones MH. Transp. Res. Rec. 1979; 739: 26-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A reliable and valid measure of the behavior of bicyclists in normal traffic is urgently needed for progress in bicycle safety. A measure developed based on observation by trained coders is presented. Types of bicycling behavior identified as critical for safety were drawn from accident and research data and a model of safe operator behavior. The reliability of observations depends on unambiguous definition of types of behavior and avoidance of information overload as well as intensive training. Only those types of behavior that occur frequently and are critical for safety are included. Three types of locations are used: (a) controlled intersections where the major variable is path, (b) midblock entrance, and (c) uncontrolled intersections where the variable of concern is search. Coding each type of location requires using a different form. Intercoder reliability was very high for all forms. This technique was used to evaluate the bicycle-riding behavior of approximately 600 elementary-school children and more than 3000 junior-high-school students on two occasions. This is the most extensive survey of bicycle-riding behavior available. It shows a very high error rate for all maneuvers and the greatest numbers of errors occurring on left turns and in search patterns. The instrument was shown to be both sensitive and is equally useful for measuring adult bicycling behavior.