The Conflict between the Motorist and Cyclist - Literature review Example

Please just send a message if you need anything. Thanks! The Conflict between the Motorist and Cyclist Position Paper Table of Contents Contents Contents 2 1. Introduction/Background One of the major social issues today is the growing conflict between motorist and cyclist which according to Pucher (2011) is getting worse as while Municipal Councils are encouraging cycling by funding and building cyclist infrastructures, traffics laws are becoming stricter against cyclist and seems often favouring the motorist (Roads and Traffic Authority, 2000). Moreover, there are a number of incidents involving cyclist and motorists who according to O’Connor (2010) were often aggressive and harassed cyclist they encountered on the road. The conflict between these two groups often results to injuries and sometimes death among cyclists and motorists thus must be resolve completely or reduce to at least acceptable level. According to De Smet (2008), frequent accidents can lead to less participation in cycling and less allowance or space provided by motorists. For instance, analysis of Australian cycling data suggests that reducing half of cyclist on the road increase risk per kilometre by 50%. Similarly, motorists tend to overtake or pass cyclist closer or an average of 8.5cm whenever they see cyclist wearing helmets (p.163). Moreover, study of road accidents suggest that motorists and cyclists awareness can be improve through promotion of road rules, bike infrastructure, and safety (Information Resources Management Association, 2011) thus there is considerable opportunity to enable recognition of bicycle as a legitimate vehicle protected by the same road regulations. 2. Significance of this research Road accidents resulted to considerable number of injuries and deaths thus reducing the causes of conflict between motorists and cyclist is critical and should be dealt with conclusively. However, these causes are not clear and there is considerable gap in literature about the impact of driver awareness and traffic laws in reducing road accidents involving motorists and cyclists. Similarly, there is no sufficient evidence to suggest that the cause of conflict is mere competition in space thus there may be some other important factors affecting the road behaviour of these groups. The significance of this proposed research emanates from the possibility that educating motorists and cyclists of their rights and obligations under the law can lead to a number of beneficial effects such as road courtesy, safe driving behaviour, reduced injuries and deaths. Moreover, the findings of this research can help inform decision-makers of the real issues behind the conflict and potential approaches that may be adapted to improve the driving behaviour of both groups. 3. Aims and objectives The primary aim of this research is to reduce the conflict between the motorists and cyclists by exposing several important issues and providing the public with additional knowledge about this persistent road problem. Moreover, new ideas that may be generated by this research particularly those concerning human behaviour and road regulations can fill the knowledge gap and clarify both theoretical and numerical assumptions. 4. Literature Review A number of literature corroborate the existence of conflict between the motorists and cyclist (Li, 2011; Purcher, 2011; Roads and Traffic Authority, 2000; O’Connor, 2010; and De Smet, 2008). Similarly, the Queensland Government (1999) also admit that although there was a number of initiatives taken aggressiveness is still evident on the part of motorists when using the road along with cyclists. Moreover, findings of some research about the reveal suggest that such aggressiveness result from the absence of fully developed cycling infrastructures and misinformation about traffic rules and regulations (O’Connor, 2010; Akcelik, 2008). In Victoria, the 1990 legislation requiring use of helmet greatly increase wearing of safety helmet by around 45% and reduced head injuries of cyclist by 51%. Similarly, research conducted on the role of public education suggest that information campaign alone do not deliver tangible and sustained reduction of road traffic accidents but it is relatively effective when accompanied and supported by laws and law enforcement (Peden, 2008:34). However, as mentioned earlier, a cyclist helmet means something else to motorist as the notion of added safety according to De Smet (2008) makes them more confident to pass or overtake cyclist closer. There is therefore some behavioural issue in the conflict aside from space competition, awareness of laws and road regulations, and enforcement. Moreover, from the motorist view according to Hudson & Levy (1982:95), the problem about road accidents is mainly due to cyclist misconception or disobedience of the rules. Increasing the safety of more vulnerable cyclist is undoubtedly a priority but measures regarding this should not deter or discourage cycling and affect the mobility of motorists (Dora & Philips, 2000:18). For instance, cycling paths can significantly reduce accident rates without suppressing the mobility of other motorists. Similarly, equal application or enforcement of road rules avoids bias and discourage aggressive of both motorists and cyclists. According to Godard & Fatonzoun (2003:506), most road safety campaigns are aimed at improving road user behaviour through improved knowledge and attitude change but many of them do not actually work because education is not enough to change behaviour. For this reason, a campaign on road safety should clearly define behavioural issues and supported by legal measures and police enforcement. Moreover, study conducted on Australia and other European countries suggest that the most effective way to get the attention of motorist is implementing and enforcing relevant laws. The United Nations study of urban safety in 2007 supports similar view as according to the UN Human Settlements (2007:231) report, the frequency and severity of road accidents is determined by a variety of interrelated factors such behaviour, vehicle safety features, road design, and vulnerability of particular road users thus it requires a combination of legislation, enforcement, and public education. Similarly, although a slightly different approach, road safety can be approach from a social and technical perspective with emphasis on education, engineering, and enforcement. For instance, parents should be aware of the impact of glamorising high-speed and careless driving in full view of their children. Similarly, education about the risks and appropriate behavioural responses (avoiding distraction and learning to confront complex situations) about potential conflicts with cars can greatly reduce accidents between cyclist and motorist (OECD, 2006:139). There is thus a significant need to investigate the causes of conflict between a road motorists and cyclists and appropriate approach to road safety. However, the effort should be not limited on the common notion or theoretical assumptions but detailed understanding of the real issues and proven approach in reducing similar conflicts. 5. Research Design 5.1 Research and Ethical Considerations This research as mentioned earlier will likely encounter several social and behavioural issues thus must be carried out in an ethical manner with very minimal involvement with the people involved. A comprehensive literature review can provide this research considerable number of important information about the causes of conflict and approaches used to reduce or resolve such conflict without compromising the privacy of any individual. However, this research believed that theoretical assumptions and statistical data particularly those that were generated elsewhere are not realistic enough to represent an internal Australian problem. For this reason, a literature review and qualitative survey will be conducted locally but with significant emphasis on ethical standards. 5.2 Research Method The adapted research method for this study is qualitative, an approach widely used for social research which according to Babbie (2010:25) is legitimate, more aligned with idiographic explanations and a method generating data that is rich in meaning. It can enable depth of understanding associated with social concerns, provide deeper meanings of certain human experience, and flexible enough for studies concerning phenomenon that people little know about. 5.3 Data Collection Method The qualitative data collection will be conducted on through open-ended questionnaire systematically designed to extract relevant information from the survey participant. Due to ethical implications of doing qualitative research, this study with not conduct face-to-face or one on one interview but open-ended questions sent through email. 5.4 Data Analysis Method Since the chosen data collection method is qualitative, the method of data analysis is also qualitative for consistency and reliability of result. Qualitative data analysis is non-numerical examination of data and intended to discover patterns and causal links between variables. These include data coding, memoing, and concept mapping of information collected from specific, identifiable individuals participated in the data collection stage (Babbie: 2010: 418). 5.5 Selection of Participants and Sample Size Participants will be randomly selected from a general list of potential participants and only those that can provide their informed-consent will be considered and included in the final list of participants. Participants will be informed of their rights to withdraw anytime they need to and will not be required to provide their names and other personal information. All participants in this research will be of legal age. The criteria for participant selection are as follows: Participants must be of legal age Cyclist, Motorist, Pedestrian, or Traffic Law Enforcer With direct knowledge or involvement in the conflict Willing and able to provide informed-consent The sample size on the other hand will be determined by the final number of willing participants. However, this study specifically required 46 participants out of the estimated 50 potential candidate. This sample size is computed with 95% confidence level and confidence interval of 4. 6. Time Table for Qualitative Research Activity Description Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 Finalization of questionnaires 2 Participants Selection 3 Data Collection 4 Data Analysis 5 Finalization of Research Paper 7. Research Limitations This research is highly dependent on the reliability of the qualitative method of research thus it is also vulnerable to its inherent weakness such as bias and tendencies to go beyond ethical boundaries. However, with sufficient knowledge of this method and commitment to ethical standards, this study is confident enough to overcome these limitations and produce a result that it is not only reliable but useful in resolving the conflict between motorists and cyclist. 8. Reference/Bibliography Akçelik, R (2008), Roundabouts in Australia, In Paper presented at the TRB National Roundabout Conference, Vol. 18, p 21. Babbie E, (2010), The Practice of Social Research, Cengage Learning, US De Smet A, (2008), Transportation Accident Analysis and Prevention, Nova Publishers, UK Dora C. & Philips M, (2000), Transport, Environment, and Health, World Health Organization Office, Austria Godard X. & Fatonzoun I, (2003), Urban Mobility, Taylor and Francis, UK Hudson M. & Levy C, (1982), Bicycle Planning, Policy, and Practice, University of Michigan Press, US Information Resources Management Association, (2011), Green Technologies: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications, IGI Global, US Li, W et al, (2011), Designing for the safety of the pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Urban environment, Journal of the American planning association, Vol. 77, No 1, pp 68-88. O’Connor, J, (2010), Riding with the sharks: Serious leisure cyclist's perceptions of sharing the road with motorists, Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(1), 53-58. OECD, (2006), Speed Management, OECD Publishing, France Peden M, (2008), World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention: Summary, DIANE Publishing, US Pucher, J et al, (2011), Cycling down under: a comparative analysis of bicycling trends and policies in Sydney and Melbourne, Journal of Transport Geography, 19(2), 332-345. Queensland Government, (1999), Cycle South East: Integrated Cycle Strategy for South East Queensland Government, Brisbane p29. Roads and Traffic Authority, (2000), 50km/h Urban Speed Limit Evaluation, Summary Report, Sydney 9. Appendix Read More