Mobile phone use while cycling: Incidence and effects on behaviour and safety

Abstract

The effects of mobile phone use on cycling behaviour were studied. In study 1, the prevalence of mobile phone use while cycling was assessed. In Groningen 2.2% of cyclists were observed talking on their phone and 0.6% were text messaging or entering a phone number. In study 2, accident-involved cyclists responded to a questionnaire. Only 0.5% stated that they were using their phone at the time of the accident. In study 3, participants used a phone while cycling. The content of the conversation was manipulated and participants also had to enter a text message. Data were compared with just cycling and cycling while listening to music. Telephoning coincided with reduced speed, reduced peripheral vision performance and increased risk and mental effort ratings. Text messaging had the largest negative impact on cycling performance. Higher mental workload and lower speed may account for the relatively low number of people calling involved in accidents.

Statement of Relevance: Although perhaps mainly restricted to flat countries with a large proportion of cyclists, mobile phone use while cycling has increased and may be a threat to traffic safety, similar to phone use while driving a car. In this study, the extent of the problem was assessed by observing the proportion of cyclists using mobile phones, sending questionnaires to accident-involved cyclists and an experimental study was conducted on the effects of mobile phone use while cycling.

Keywords:

• operator workload
• transportation safety

Acknowledgements

We'd like to thank Simon-Jan Hazenberg for analysing the GPS data and Marije Oosterveld, Anne Visser, Timme Mulder, Wabe Bakker and Benjamin Schäfer for taking care of all the field work! Thanks also to Marieke Timmerman for advice on statistical tests, to two anonymous reviewers who helped us to significantly improve this paper and to Ben Lewis-Evans for a thorough final check.