Cyclists’ perception of cycling infrastructure: The relationship between safety, comfort, and comprehensibility

• We describe cyclists’ ratings of infrastructure elements concerning safety, comfort, and comprehensibility • Physical separation of bicycles and motorized traffic increases perceived safety • Cyclists’ perceptions of safety, comfort, and comprehensibility are related and moderated by an individual trade-off Although it is well-known that cycling offers various benefits, the mode share in most countries remains relatively low. And although it is well-known that cyclists’ perception of infrastructure can be key to foster cycling, relatively little research has been conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of cyclists’ perceptions regarding infrastructure. This study contributes to the topic using an iterative and qualitative approach. We conducted a simulator study to investigate cyclists’ perceptions of three different intersection designs. We analyzed interview data to obtain the effect of each design element on three main criteria: safety, comfort, and comprehensibility. Results show that participants’ ratings regarding the majority of design elements were inconsistent. However, all types of design elements physically separating cycling infrastructure from motorized traffic were rated at least partly positively. Finally, a preliminary theory on the relationship between these criteria is described: While comprehensibility can affect both comfort and safety perception, comfort and safety are moderated by an individual trade-off affecting the overall assessment of cycling infrastructure. The findings provide insights and opportunities for further research, improving the understanding of the relationship between infrastructure and cyclists’ perceptions.