Abstract
(1) Background: Electric micro-mobility vehicles (i.e., e-bikes and e-scooters) represent a fast-growing portion of the circulating fleet, leading to a multiplication of accident cases also attributable to risky behaviours adopted by the riders. Still, data on vehicle performance and rider behaviour are sparse and difficult to interpret (if not unavailable). Information regarding the overall accident dynamics can, however, aid in identifying users’ risky riding behaviour that actually led to a harmful event, allowing one to propose efficient strategies and policies to reduce the occurrence of road criticalities. (2) Methods: Speed and acceleration data of six cyclists of traditional and electric bikes were extracted from six closed-circuit experiments and real road tests performed in the city of Florence (Italy) to derive their behavioural patterns in diverse road contexts. (3) Results: The application of analysis of variance and linear regression procedures to such data highlights differences between men and women in terms of performance/behaviour in standing start; additionally, the use of e-bikes favours a higher speed ride in correspondence to roundabouts and roads with/without the right of way. To thoroughly assess the rider’s responsibilities in an eventual accident, an ancillary procedure was highlighted to evaluate whether a micro-mobility vehicle complies with the applicable regulations. (4) Conclusion: With these results, the prospective recognition of rider behaviour was facilitated during the investigation process, and the abilities to extract such relevant information from in-depth accident data wereconsequently enhanced.
Highlights
The overall boost in the use of micro-mobility electric vehicles such as e-bikes and escooters is a direct consequence of several factors, such as a general reduction in purchasing costs, as well as an increase in motor efficiency and lightness; sales are driven by a growing interest in both health and environmental sustainability
The growth in the total number of bicycles is reflected in an increase in the number of accidents involving cyclists (+3.3% between 2018 and 2019 (2019 Annual Report on Accidents in Italy by ISTAT, Istituto Nazionale di Statistica)): this shows that fatal events involving cyclists represent approximately 8.5% of the total accidents; the replacement of traditional bikes with the electric alternative inevitably leads to a multiplication of accident cases in which the latter type of vehicle is involved
The three performed studies provide data from which relevant information can be derived for analyses and reporting activities in accidents involving electric micro-mobility vehicles; to be specific, it will be possible to: 1. Outline a precise scenario regarding accident dynamics: real road tests carried out by e-bikes were performed to define the speed and behaviours with which a rider tackles specific conditions; such in-depth highlights can be used to increase road safety in a ‘what if’ approach: hypothesizing appropriate modifications to vehicles, infrastructure, and viability, alternatives can be proposed to lower the users’ involvement in critical scenarios
Summary
The overall boost in the use of micro-mobility electric vehicles such as e-bikes and escooters is a direct consequence of several factors, such as a general reduction in purchasing costs, as well as an increase in motor efficiency and lightness (ease of transportation); sales are driven by a growing interest in both health and environmental sustainability. The third instance allows practitioners to assess whether the blame for a crash with an opponent, at fault or not, is to be put on the micro-mobility vehicle rather than on the users alone; verification of this possibility is an additional priority, since it can significantly affect conclusions regarding the risky riding behaviour of the rider Based on these assumptions, fundamental elements to facilitate the in-depth accident analysis are: (a) the collection of data relating to riders in conditions which are representative of road traffic; (b) developing guidelines to assess vehicle compliance to current regulations. A procedure is proposed to verify the aptness of a vehicle for circulation, fundamental to confirm the investigation results regarding the rider’s adopted behaviour in correspondence to road criticality
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