Studying the role of vision in cycling: Critique on restricting research to fixation behaviour

Abstract

In a recent study published in Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vansteenkiste et al. (2013)--as one of the first in this field--investigated the visual control of bicycle steering. They undertook the interesting task of testing cyclists' eye fixation behaviour against Donges' two-level model of steering, i.e. the guidance level to anticipate alternations in the course of the road and the stabilization level for lane keeping. Although the laboratory experiment itself is well conducted, we believe that its results cannot be used to test the two-level model of steering as developed for driving. The test track was only 15m long, was completely straight and was known in advance. Accordingly, it did not provide adequate conditions for testing the guidance level. Furthermore, as the experimental lanes were much narrower than real-world cycling lanes, the stabilization level differed considerably from that in the real world. The study by Vansteenkiste et al. (2013) may provide valuable insight into the role of vision in 'precision steering', but, as we discuss in the paper, more elaborate research paradigms are needed to achieve more comprehensive knowledge of the role of vision in real-world cycling and cycling safety.

Visuomotor control, eye movements, and steering: A unified approach for incorporating feedback, feedforward, and internal models.

“…2There was discussion of the three-level McRuer et al (1977) steering control framework in traffic psychology still in the 1980s, with regard to intermittency in lane keeping, lane change and curve driving tasks (Blaauw et al, 1984; Godthelp, 1985, 1986; Godthelp et al, 1984; see the Internal Models and Predictive Control in Driving Section), but more recently traffic psychology seems to develop ideas in the “two-level framework” (e.g., Schepers et al, 2013; Vansteenkiste, Cardon, D’Hondt, Philippaerts, & Lenoir, 2013). …”

“…There was discussion of the three-levelMcRuer et al (1977) steering control framework in traffic psychology still in the 1980s, with regard to intermittency in lane keeping, lane change and curve driving tasks(Blaauw et al, 1984;Godthelp, 1985Godthelp, , 1986; see the Internal Models and Predictive Control in Driving Section), but more recently traffic psychology seems to develop ideas in the "two-level framework" (e.g.,Schepers et al, 2013;Vansteenkiste, Cardon, D'Hondt, Philippaerts, & Lenoir, 2013). This document is copyrighted by the American Psychological Association or one of its allied publishers.This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly.…”

Key factors for the bicycle use of visually impaired people: a Delphi study

“…Additionally, it is unclear which factors besides the visual functioning play a role in the bicycle use of visually impaired people. The available literature mainly focusses on (corrected to) normal vision [22][23][24][25][26] or the influence of infrastructural factors on accessibility or accident rates [27][28][29][30][31]. Connor [32] gives a number of factors that may be of importance, based on his personal experience as a visually impaired cyclist and rehabilitation counsellor.…”

Auditory localisation of conventional and electric cars: Laboratory results and implications for cycling safety

“…Vision and visual attention are important for safe navigation through the traffic environment (e.g. Owsley & McGwin, 2010;Schepers et al, 2013). However, in some instances, the auditory perception of traffic sounds and vehicle movement may be crucial for road users, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.…”