Using on-bicycle rider assistant device while cycling: A hazard perception assessment

Abstract

Technologies have been developed to assist the cyclist for precise training exercise such as monitoring their body and bicycle state. Due to the limited position placing on-bicycle rider assistant device and riding posture, it enlarges the essential view range of the chance the cyclist distracted from the road. The risks using the system have been evaluated through an interactive video-based hazard perception/reaction test in which response times were measured. 5 participants, 3 male and 2 female participated a 2-phase section including 7 traffic scenes in a 5 minutes cycling exercise with and without using on-bicycle rider assistant device. As the results, average reaction times tended to increase 0.33 seconds and average mis-maintained pushing cadence time was 31.4 seconds when cycling with the device assistance. It is concluded that cadence control assisted by the device can interfere the efficiency of hazard perception, an important safety factor of cycling. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.