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Study: Drivers give more space to cyclists with child seat or trailer

New research shows more than 10cm extra given to those perceived to be carrying child on bike, and fewer close passes

A new study has found that motorists give more space to cyclists whom they believe are carrying a child on their bike.

Published in the November issue of the journal, Transportation Research, the study aimed to find out what effect a cyclist perceived to be carrying a child – whether on a child seat on a bike, or in a trailer – had on the behaviour of drivers when it came to overtaking.

The study, published under the title, The impact of a child bike seat and trailer on the objective overtaking behaviour of motorized vehicles passing cyclists, and which used mannequins rather than actual children, found that:

Drivers of motorized vehicles adapt their overtaking behaviour.

Larger and therefore safer overtaking manoeuvres in cyclists transporting a child.

In morning peak the child bike seat is the safest in terms of overtaking distance.

More than a quarter of all overtaking manoeuvres was too close (<100cm).

Researchers analysed 19 journeys by bike on one road in the Brussels region of Belgium and encompassed variables such as what time of day it was, the availability of infrastructure, density of traffic and type of child seat or trailer used, found that the mean lateral overtaking distance with a child present was 128.8cm against 117.3cm without.

Dangerous manoeuvres – ones that gave clearance of 100cm or less – were much more prevalent where there was no child present, especially during the morning peak.

In conclusion, the study found: “Drivers of motorized vehicles do adapt their overtaking manoeuvre when they overtake cyclists transporting a child, keeping greater and therefore safer lateral clearance distances.

“In morning peak traffic hours and/or crowded circumstances the child bike seat can be considered as the safest way to transport a child in terms of lateral clearance distance. In general, with 25.3% overtaking manoeuvres under 100cm, police should monitor compliance with the traffic rules with regard to cyclists, and motorists should be more aware of the overtaking traffic rules.”

Authors of the study included Dr Ian Walker of the University of Bath, who in 2006 famously donned a wig as he researched whether drivers gave cyclists more space when overtaken them if the rider was (or, appeared to be) female, or was wearing a helmet.

> Study (still) indicates that drivers give cyclists wearing helmets less room when overtaking

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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10 comments

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eburtthebike | 3 years ago
8 likes

So drivers know that passing someone close is dangerous, but they would feel bad about killing a child rather than one of those annoying cyclists who deserve it?  To be honest we need enforcable laws about how close you can pass a cyclist; we've got cheap cameras now, so how about cheap, calibrated, reliable distance measuring?  Might have to build a few more courthouses to cope, but the roads would be safer.

Since drivers pass closer to cyclists wearing helmets and give more room to those with a child seat, has anyone tried wearing a child seat on their head?

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NPlus1Bikelights replied to eburtthebike | 3 years ago
1 like

I've had better distances with child seat but certainly not trailer despite Christmas tree lighting and flags. Regardless - kids in either are not cyclists and so are not dehumanised. Plus a judge is going to have a lot more kick back if they are lenient with a child involved - right....?

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ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes
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HoarseMann replied to ktache | 3 years ago
0 likes

ktache wrote:

Maybe...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2725329.stm

...and a case for longer driving bans - for the offenders own good:

https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/1123663.motorcyclist-killed-in-north-yo...

Avatar
Compact Corned Beef replied to ktache | 3 years ago
1 like

He got two years! Two years for nearly killing a kid and her dad. FFS. I know it was some time back, and I've seen tougher sentences come through, but still. Wow.

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HoarseMann replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
1 like

Compact Corned Beef wrote:

He got two years! Two years for nearly killing a kid and her dad. FFS. I know it was some time back, and I've seen tougher sentences come through, but still. Wow.

Yep, shocking. Then as soon as he gets his licence back he ends up dead in a motorcycle crash (pretty sure it's the same person, name, age, place all add up).

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Captain Badger replied to Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
2 likes

Compact Corned Beef wrote:

He got two years! Two years for nearly killing a kid and her dad. FFS. I know it was some time back, and I've seen tougher sentences come through, but still. Wow.

Not just nearly killing, but intending to kill. This was no accident

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eburtthebike replied to ktache | 3 years ago
4 likes

ktache wrote:

Maybe...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2725329.stm

The civil case was finally settled in 2016. 

Incredibly bad BBC reporting from this article "The Range Rover then stopped and reversed at speed towards the family, crushing Mr Kirwin and his daughter."  No, the driver did it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-37212913

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nikkispoke | 3 years ago
2 likes

This is purely anecdotal but I suspect in the UK a majority of motorists will give a wider berth and do care but that a minority would not as witnessed by the videos often posted. This is the minority who assume no one else should be allowed on 'their' road and would drive into the bicycle to declare that you should not be riding with a child and you are placing them in danger ?? Forget the physical danger they pose to anyone  or any other affect such as pollution on health or on brain development .

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Compact Corned Beef | 3 years ago
0 likes

Gives hope that more compassion and sensible driving behaviour can be baked in to people's attitudes at large.

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