Evaluation Models for Cyclists’ Perception Using Probe Bicycle System

Although bicycles in Japan are widely used for going to school, shopping and so on, satisfaction levels of cyclists for the condition of streets are not high. This is because most bicycle space is shared with pedestrians. The aim of this study is to find evaluation factors from a viewpoint of bicycles’ perception by monitoring cycling behavior using a Probe Bicycle System. The Probe Bicycle developed in this study can automatically measure and record speed, braking, steering, lateral distance, and vibration using electric sensors. In addition, apparent traffic density in front of a bicycle can be checked by video recorder. By carrying out experiments on various types of streets in Japan, France and China, the relationship between perception and behavior is analyzed. As a result, the authors developed evaluation models using measurement of braking, vertical vibration, speed, steering and so on.