Perception of cycling risks and needs associated with skill level, gender, and age

Alhomaidat, Fadi; Eljufout, Tamer · 2021 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0015.2390

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

Get this paper ↗ (DOI — opens at the source; we link to it, we don't host it)

Summary

This study investigates how cyclists’ perceptions of risk and need factors (RNF) vary by age, gender, and skill level, aiming to identify barriers to cycling as a sustainable transportation mode. Despite the social, economic, and environmental benefits of cycling, its adoption remains low in the United States, partly due to perceived safety concerns. The research addresses a gap in existing literature by simultaneously examining infrastructure-related, traffic-related, and facility-related RNFs across these demographic and experiential variables. The researchers conducted an online survey in May 2015 targeting bicycle commuters in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The final analysis included 182 participants who completed the survey, with a demographic split of 61% male and 39% female. The largest age group was 50–64 years old, and skill levels were categorized as beginner, intermediate, and experienced. Participants rated the impact of 39 specific RNFs using a five-point Likert scale. The data were analyzed using Mean Score Analysis to rank factors and an Ordered Probit Model to examine statistical relationships between demographic variables and perceived risk levels. The findings reveal significant differences in risk perception based on age and skill level, but not gender. Older cyclists (50+) were significantly more influenced by infrastructure-related factors, such as wide pavement joints, compared to younger cyclists. Beginner cyclists perceived infrastructure-related risks, particularly potholes and lack of dedicated bike lanes, as more impactful than intermediate or experienced cyclists, suggesting that increased cycling experience alleviates these concerns. Conversely, traffic-related risks, such as aggressive driver behavior and high-speed traffic, were perceived as the highest risks across all skill levels, with negligible differences between groups. Gender did not show statistically significant differences in perceived RNFs for any category. The study concludes that policymakers and urban planners must account for these demographic variations when designing cycling infrastructure. Since beginners are disproportionately deterred by infrastructure deficiencies, improving road quality and providing dedicated lanes are critical for encouraging new cyclists. Meanwhile, the universal concern regarding traffic risks highlights the need for better traffic management and driver behavior interventions. By tailoring infrastructure and safety measures to the specific needs of different cyclist groups, cities can enhance safety awareness, reduce long-term risk factors, and promote cycling as a viable alternative transportation method.

Provenance

The full processing record for this entry. Every stage of this paper's journey through the pipeline is logged — what ran, with which tool and model, how many attempts it took, and when it last completed.

Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-26; verification: verified.

Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• cyclist safety
• motorcyclist skill