Fewer solo accidents thanks to simple adjustments to the verge
Every year, no fewer than 45,000 cyclists are the victims of solo accidents. Professer Dick de Waard of the University of Groningen, together with the Dutch Cyclists’ Union, Royal HaskoningDHV and local road managers, has been commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment to develop a ‘ forgiving cycle path ’. The aim of these cycle paths is to reduce the number of solo accidents and make sure that the accidents that do occur are less serious. A forgiving cycle path would by its very nature invite safer cycling behaviour.
De Waard and PhD student Frank Westerhuis investigated the effects of various adaptations to the verge. They concluded that making verges ‘forgiving’ would automatically keep cyclists on the right part of the cycle path.
More information
- Dick de Waard
- Traffic and environmental psychology in Groningen
- Paper: Onderzoek naar het effect van ingrepen aan de rand van een fietspad op gedrag, zichtbaarheid & acceptatie [Research on the effects of changes to the edge of the cycle path on behaviour, visibility and acceptance]
- Starting in academic year 2016-2017, the University of Groningen will be offering a new English-taught Master’s degree programme in Traffic Psychology and Sustained Mobility .
University of Groningen videos
The weekly online video magazine Unifocus highlights topics related to the University of Groningen in the fields of research and society, student life, teaching, policy and internationalization.
You can find more videos in our video portal.
Last modified: | 23 December 2021 1.23 p.m. |
More news
-
01 May 2024
Behavioral Scientist Carsten de Dreu Appointed as Professor at the University of Groningen
The University of Groningen is pleased to announce the appointment of renowned social and behavioral scientist Carsten de Dreu as research professor at the UG.
-
09 April 2024
Kirsten van den Bosch: 'Connecting students with the work field really is achievable in every programme'
Dr Kirsten van den Bosch en her team won the Best Practice Award 2024 with their initiative to connect students with organizations to solve real problems within Academic Learning Communities.
-
03 April 2024
Research: much stress among Groningers due to gas extraction issues, including among the elderly
The gas extraction issue still has its effect on people in Groningen. Questionnaire research shows that people who had multiple instances of damage to their homes have increasingly poor health. In addition, interviews with elderly people show a...