I agree.
This is exactly what I am going to research. A possible mis-match of
perceptions of safety between cyclists and non-cyclists. Thinking through
ways of capturing this statistically and then further exploring issues
that emerge. On the brink of creating a questionnaire and wonder if
anybody else has done a statistical investigation on this theme and has
any suggestions for capturing the relevant data.
Richard
> Dear all
>
> I would also concur that it is 'perceived danger' from MOTOR traffic
> that puts people off. It would be interesting to look at general
> mobility behaviour and perceived danger of each mode. My hunch is that
> motorists over estimate the dangers of cycling because the very fact
> that they are aware of the potential dangers they pose to cyclists (or
> not). Whereas in reality cyclists are much more able to cope with a
> harassing hostile environment because of the coping mechanisms that they
> develop through their very practice which in turn increases the very
> practice itself. The problem is getting those fretful people to at
> least engage with cycling practice in order to learn those coping
> strategies - whether they are inclined to do so is another matter.
>
> Tim Jones
> Department of Planning
> Oxford Brookes University
>
> Oddy, Nicholas wrote:
>
>>Surely 'perceived danger' is the right term for what you are describing?
>>If statistics show that -er- 'actual' danger is found in places
>>different from that which is believed to exist. In terms of cycling
>>practice, I would propose that it is the perception of danger that puts
>>many potential riders off, rather than any real danger riders expose
>>themselves to. In my book, 'danger' is not a consequence of the
>>inanimate. Danger to cyclists is almost entirely a consequence of human
>>agency, rather than of the fixed environment, be it the agency of the
>>cyclist or other road user or both.
>>
>>Nicholas Oddy,
>>Historical & Critical Studies,
>>Glasgow School of Art.
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list
>>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew Page
>>Sent: 23 May 2006 10:17
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: Re: Cycling risk/perception of risk[Scanned]
>>
>>Dear Richard,
>>
>>I am supervising an MSc student at the moment who is doing a
>>questionnaire study comparing reported accidents, actual accidents and
>>where cyclists report the danger to be in Sheffield. I'm sure she would
>>be interested to discuss the work, I've copied her into this email.
>>
>>Incidentally, I think this is a much under researched area. Where users
>>are likely to adapt their travel behaviour to road danger there is
>>likely to emerge a significant difference between where the accidents
>>happen and where the safety problems are. This probably doesn't affect
>>car users much, but it is very significant for pedestrians and
>>especially cyclists and possibly for this reason it's something that the
>>traditional road safety establishment have been very slow to take on
>>board. It was brought home to me most forcefully when I attended a
>>discussion between the Council Officer who looked after accident
>>statistics and active cyclists. Their assessments of where was most
>>dangerous were completely different.
>>
>>Incidentally, I'm not sure "perceived" danger is the most appropriate
>>term here. Just because a location doesn't have any accidents, it
>>doesn't mean it isn't really dangerous - it might just be so dangerous
>>no one would ever dream of cycling there!
>>
>>Very happy to discuss this in more detail if that would be useful,
>>
>>Matthew Page
>>Institute for Transport Studies
>>University of Leeds
>>
>>
>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list
>>>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Richard Jones
>>>Sent: 21 May 2006 20:40
>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>Subject: Cycling risk/perception of risk
>>>
>>>Hi
>>>
>>>I am a Transport Planning student and keen cyclist. I doing a
>>>quantitative research dissertation on cycling risk and
>>>perseption of cycling risk on the cardiff road network. I
>>>will survey as broad a spectrum of cycling groups as
>>>possible. Is there anybody who has specific knowledge in this
>>>field or has anybody actually created a questionnaire to
>>>capture this data. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>Richard
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
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