On the use of naturalistic methods to examine safety-relevant behaviours amongst children and evaluate a cycling education program. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hatfield, J.; Dozza, M.; Patton, D.A.; Maharaj, P.; Boufous, S.; Eveston, T.
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 108(2017)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 99
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Naturalistic study -- Cycling safety -- Cycling education -- Cycling training; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.08.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: Used naturalistic cycling data to evaluate a cycling safety program for school children. Uniquely, coded safety-relevant behaviours in the context of opportunities to perform them. Developed a system to switch cameras on/off without relying on participants and to film only if moving. Abstract: School-based cycling education programs aim to improve cycling safety and participation amongst children. Available research suggests that typical programs, which focus on bicycle manoeuvring skills, have limited effects on behaviour observed on a track or planned route. The current study uses theoretically more valid, naturalistic cycling data, to evaluate Safe Cycle, a program that incorporates hazard and self-awareness training. Soon after Safe Cycle was delivered at treatment schools, research bicycles instrumented with a rearward- and a forward-facing camera were loaned to six children from treatment schools and six children from (waitlist) control schools. In each group half the children were in Year 6, and half were in Year 7/8. Each child was instructed to ride the research bicycle instead of their own bicycle for the 1–2 weeks that they had a research bicycle. Video data were reduced using a purpose-designed coding scheme that identified whether participants performed specific safety-relevant behaviours in appropriate circumstances. While the participants controlled their bicycles well, gave way appropriately to traffic at intersections, and stopped at red lights, participants frequently removed one or both hands from the handlebars, and seldom signalled turns, conducted over-shoulder-checks when changing lanes, or looked in multiple directions at intersections (except when crossing a road). While aspects of design and small sample sizes limited evaluation findings, this research demonstrated the feasibility and potential of naturalistic data to support cycling education program evaluation. Further, the study substantially extended available naturalistic study of children's cycling behaviour to highlight behaviours which might be targeted by cycling safety initiatives.