Empirical study of bicycle traffic characteristics relevant for microscopic simulation

Studies of bicycle traffic characteristics are essential for understanding bicyclist behavior and developing suitable microscopic models for traffic simulation. Based on empirical data on real-world bicycle traffic, obtained through video-based data collection techniques, we describe characteristics of free-riding, following, and overtaking that facilitate the simulation of bidirectional bicycle traffic. In total, we analyze data from 195 605 bicyclists across seven bicycle paths in Sweden, with five located in Stockholm and two in Gothenburg. The analysis reveals multimodal distributions of speed and lateral position due to the distinct preferences of bicyclists that vary according to the type of bicycle used. Moreover, speeds are generally highest during morning rush hours at the locations under investigation. Based on wind measurements, we conclude that there is no statistically significant effect on mean free speed from wind speeds in the range of ± 3 m/s. The distribution of speed differences between bicyclists at overtakings indicates a broad range of speed disparities among bicyclists, and is significantly influenced by infrastructure design. Furthermore, infrastructure design (path width, horizontal alignment, and presence of fixed objects along the edge) and traffic volumes significantly lateral positioning. Our results demonstrate the inherent heterogeneity in the characteristics of bicyclists, underscoring the need to advance modeling to incorporate these distinct characteristics into microscopic traffic simulation.