The importance of communication between cyclists and other traffic participants and its potential in reducing traffic safety-critical events

Abstract

Over 7,600 pedestrians and cyclists died on European roads in 2013. The pressing question is how traffic safety for bicyclists can be increased? Communication is essential in traffic in order to inform other road users and to coordinate their behaviour. The current paper focuses on developing a methodology to analyse cyclists’ communication resp. interaction with car drivers and other traffic participants in order to obtain a better understanding of critical events. The relation of communication and infrastructure will be discussed. The general hypothesis is that infrastructure has a marked influence on the communication between cyclists and other road users. It emphasizes the necessity and chances for communication: e. g. a good intersection design enhances the visibility of cyclists.