Seasonal variation in risk perception and travel behaviour among cyclists in a Norwegian urban area. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kummeneje, An-Magritt; Ryeng, Eirin Olaussen; Rundmo, Torbjørn
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 124(2019)
• Page Start: 40
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Cycling behavior -- Risk perception -- Worry -- Risk tolerance -- Season -- Attitudes towards traffic safety; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2018.12.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: There are seasonal differences in how cyclists perceive the risk and how worried they are being in an accident. Cyclists perceive the risk to be higher and are more worried being in an accident when cycling in winter conditions compared with summer conditions. Risk perception is a significant predictor of worry, and worry predict cycling frequency during the winter season. The results contribute to an understanding of why cyclists cycle less during winter than during the other seasons of the year. Abstract: The main purpose of the article is to examine the association between risk perception and cyclists' decision as to whether to cycle during the different seasons of the year. The study on which the article is based included worry as a feeling that emerges as a result of an individual's cognitive assessment of risk, attitudes toward traffic rules, risk tolerance and safety priority. The study was based on a questionnaire survey carried out among cyclists from Trondheim Municipality in Norway (n = 291) during spring 2017. The results revealed seasonal differences in perceived risk and that risk perception was an important predictor of both the decision as to whether to cycle and the frequency of cycling during wintertime. The same results were not found for cycling during the other seasons of the year. Additionally, an association was found between risk perception and worry. The respondents were more worried when cycling in winter conditions compared with cycling in summer conditions, and worry was a strong predictor of travel mode behaviour. The authors found that when the respondents' perception of risk was very low, they were not worried and hence their behaviour was not affected. Perceived risk and worry were only associated with cycling behaviour during wintertime. These findings may be used as a guide in measures implemented to increase the number of cyclists during winter and in communications to the public about the risks linked to cycling.