Comparing unimodal lane keeping cues for child cyclists

Child cyclists are at greater risk for car-to-cyclist accidents than adults. This is in part due to developmental differences in the motor and perceptual-motor abilities of children and adults, and missing cycling infrastructure. To address these issues, we examine unimodal and projection-based techniques to support children in maintaining a good lane position in the absence of bicycle lanes. We present safety-relevant information using unimodal cues: vibration on the handlebar, ambient light in a cycle helmet, projected heads-up display indicators, and on-road laser projection. As a first step, we interviewed twelve children about their cycling issues. We then conducted a lab experiment (N=25) in a bicycle simulator using the unimodal cues in the presence of a visual search task, followed by a controlled test-track experiment (N=15). We found that cycling performance with lane keeping cues was comparable to situations without them, however children found them helpful and expressed subjective preferences for the LED helmet and vibration on the handlebar.