Driver distraction (e.g., due to increased cognitive demands) is increasingly recognised as a significant source of injuries and accidents. Accordingly, many researchers have investigated factors that affect driving performance. But provisions for cyclists (e.g., cycle paths and lanes) are increasing in major cities and towns – as are the numbers of cyclists accordingly. Hence, our aim is to develop a better understanding of traffic perception and hazard avoidance when cycling in urban environments. We are also interested in the relationship between a measure of decision-making tendencies and cycling behaviour. We are collecting cycling performance data (pedalling cadence, braking frequency), gaze data, and questionnaire data in order to do so.
Participants will attend one 1-hour session in a laboratory in the SIM Lab, Department of Life Sciences, dressed in clothing suitable for cycling at a light intensity for approximately 10 minutes.
After completion of two questionnaires, they must ride a spinning bike whilst wearing a cycle helmet and eye tracking glasses. Their task will be to observe video footage taken from the first-person perspective of a cyclist navigating a busy urban street, and to respond to hazards as they normally would when riding a bike.
It is expected that the data from this study will inform subsequent cycling proficiency instruction practices in future.
Dr Daniel Bishop - I am a Researcher and Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology here at Brunel, a British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Psychologist registered to practise with the HCPC, an Associate Fellow of the BPS, and a Fellow of Advance HE (formerly the HEA). I am also the Programme Lead for the Psychology (Sport, Health and Exercise) BSc in the Department of Life Sciences.
I have worked in both public and private sectors, including local authorities, the NHS, investment banks, the health & fitness industry and Further Education. These experiences have given me a sophisticated understanding of the challenges faced in this diverse range of industries, which is why I continue to add value to the performance of various individuals and organisations - using established psychological principles to do so.
On this note: I am proud to be the Director of Research for The Bikeability Trust. My remit is to procure and generate evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of the excellent Bikeability cycle training programme - including a role for immersive cycle training to consolidate the considerable learning at every Level of Bikeability training.
In my role as Departmental Lead for Staff Experience & Wellbeing, my vision was for Brunel to deservedly attain national recognition (e.g., the RSPH Health & Wellbeing Awards) for its long-term prioritisation of staff wellbeing and health.
When I’m not working, I love to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends, although I have spent a disproportionate amount of time writing my book, Motivation: The Manual (available on Amazon) over the past few years. I have also been rebuilding my left knee from the inside out, with a careful self-determined rehabilitation programme. For those who are interested: I realised (very late) that tight quadriceps and patellar tendons were compounding my cartilage problems, so took to regular self-massage using commercially available percussive and vibrating massagers - a game-changer. I have also found that running in crocs (with heel straps!) instead of (over-engineered) running shoes increases my knee stability, as does using barefoot shoes occasionally - although at a cost to the lumbar spine and fatty pads in the soles of my feet! But to cut a long and slightly sad story short: on 23rd September 2023, I ran a parkrun in 21 minutes, at the age of 48 - and the knees felt great!