Course holding by cyclists and moped riders.

Course holding by cyclists and moped riders includes both steering alongside a course and stabilising the vehicle. Inability to hold course may lead to conflicts with other road users. To design safe bicycle and moped facilities, and to consider the safety of those existing, knowledge about performance during course holding is necessary. Based on a literature survey, the article discusses how course holding will be influenced by characteristics of the course, the vehicle and the rider. Effects of disturbing factors such as side-wind and road-surface unevenness are also described. In a field study subjects carried out riding tests with various models of bicycles and mopeds on three courses. Speed, riding with one hand on the handlebars, side-wind and road-surface unevenness were included as independent variables. Results indicate that cyclists and moped riders need a width of at least 1 m on straight roads. At intersections this width should be at least 1.25 m. Performance in the tests also showed differences between vehicle models and modes of riding.