DRadEsel Survey on Road Safety Enters Second Round
Research Group Cognitive and Engineering Psychology at Chemnitz University of Technology is conducting short interviews in Chemnitz’s the public transport area until 20 June 2020
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Photo: Maria Kreußlein
The Research Group Cognitive and Engineering Psychology (CEP) at Chemnitz University of Technology, headed by Prof. Dr. Josef Krems, is investigating the road safety of cyclists at urban junctions in various German cities in 2020 and 2021. In November 2019, cyclists were interviewed for one week at different junctions in Chemnitz. The focus of that survey was to test the designed survey instrument.
In the first wave of the survey, 175 cyclists who used their bikes several times a week or daily in 2019 were recruited for the survey. The majority of the respondents were male (63 percent). The cyclists stated that they felt neutral to slightly insecure on the bike in Chemnitz. Above all, unexpectedly ending cycle paths were a frequently mentioned problem. Almost two thirds of the cyclists mentioned having experienced at least one safety-critical situation on their bike in the last seven days. By far the most frequently mentioned safety-critical situation was overtaking too closely by other road users such as cars. However, blocked cycle lanes and too close approaching and positioning next to cyclists were also frequently indicated as safety-critical by the interviewees in the interview. A motor vehicle was involved in the vast majority of the situations considered to be safety-critical. These first results were presented and discussed with the representatives of the city and the ADFC Kreisverband Chemnitz. Both the implementation of the feasibility study in November 2019 and the evaluations show that the instruments designed allow a valid survey. In order to be able to make a statement that is as representative as possible for Germany, it is necessary to conduct a survey over the entire period of the cycling season (approx. March to November) in different cities.
The start of this Germany-wide survey will now take place in Chemnitz. Until 20 June 2020, surveys will be carried out at various traffic points from around 7:00 to 18:00 hours with cyclists. In addition, the study also includes observations of safety-critical situations. Other cities where the survey will take place are Wiesbaden and Karlsruhe. The central topic of the approximately ten-minute short interview is the perceived road safety as a cyclist. The so-called "DRadEsel survey on road safety when cycling" is clearly marked by display stands. The interviewers are equipped with mouth-nose masks and will of course keep the minimum distance. The information provided by all respondents is treated confidentially and anonymously.
The research project "DRadEsel" is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) from funds for the implementation of the National Cycling Plan. The results of the study will be reported back to the respective city administrations and can contribute to making cycling safer in the city. "A bicycle-friendly city with a safe cycling infrastructure is the basic prerequisite for increasing the use of bicycles in everyday life," says project team member Maria Kreußlein. The research group is therefore looking forward to a lively participation of the Chemnitz cyclists in the survey.
Further information on the DRadEsel project are available online.
Contact: Maria Kreußlein, telephone +49 (0) 371 531-34269, e-mail maria.kreusslein@psychologie.tu-chemnitz.de.
(Author: Mario Steinebach / Translation: Chelsea Burris)
Matthias Fejes
16.06.2020
