OA2017. Attitudes and actions of vulnerable road users towards the safety of shared mobility spaces

Abstract Background Most urban mobility routes (roads and footpaths) are now used by more vehicles and are shared by a growing range of mobility user groups. Until recently, footpaths were always designated for pedestrians/wheelchairs/prams only and roads for motorised vehicles (i.e. motorcycles, cars, buses, trucks) and bicycles. Nowadays, footpaths are often divided to include a cycle lane. However, that lane is also used by e-bicycles, scooters, e-scooters, hoverboards, skateboards and mobility scooters. Many roads now include dedicated bus and cycle lanes, which are also used by e-scooters, plus joggers seeking to bypass slower pedestrian traffic and horse or pony riders aiming to avoid high-speed vehicles. Thus, the sharing of mobility spaces, with various users mixing and travelling at different speeds, is impacting VRU safety and influencing their behaviours. Methods To support the SOTERIA road safety project (EU/UKRI funded), this study has investigated the attitudes and actions of the stakeholders facing these challenges through a series of world café events (n = 92 participants) and questionnaires (n = 751 participants) across living labs (in Germany, Greece, Spain, UK). Results Findings highlight that sharing mobility routes is an issue for many VRUs with them blaming each other for affecting their safety. Results also reveal 97% say personal road safety is an issue, 88% say their choice of route is determined by its perceived safety, 88% say infrastructure influences their choice of route, and 79% say using designated shared spaces (e.g. cycle lane) encourages them to seek alternative routes. Conclusions We surmise that squeezing more mobility groups into the same space is an escalating issue that is unacceptable for most European citizens. Therefore, these findings are informing the design of technology-related solutions, including VR-tool experiences, safe/clean routing apps, and bike cameras, amongst others, to further understand the complexity of these mobility dynamics and to improve VRU safety. Key messages • Shared mobility spaces (roads and footpaths) are an escalating safety issue that is unacceptable to most European citizens, with many VRUs blaming each other for affecting their safety. • Technology-related solutions, e.g. VR-tools, safe/clean routing apps, and bike cameras, amongst others, offer a means to understand the complexity of mixed mobility dynamics and to improve VRU safety. Topic Road safety, Micro-mobility, SOTERIA project.