Spatial behaviour of cyclists

This research contributes to make more informed decisions on the design of infrastructure for cyclists. Currently the municipality of Amsterdam spends on average €22.6 million a year on improving, maintaining and constructing infrastructure for cyclists. These decisions are based on guidelines and expert judgement. This thesis focuses on the interaction of the cyclist on separate cycle paths. Two datasets are used. The dataset Amstelveenseweg consists of video motion detection tracks. The relationship between lateral position and speed is explored based on this dataset with a simple OLS regression. This is a one–way cycle path. The model is extended with the group size and the intensity. Results show that the lateral composition and speed are positively related and the number of cyclists has a positive effect on the lateral position as well. In order to interpret these results in a good manner, the dataset Zuidas is used for an analysis on type of users on two two–way cycle paths. This analysis on the type of users show that time and direct surroundings have effect on the composition of the type of users on the cycle path. We would recommend to the municipality that it might not be representative enough to only base the design guidelines on total number of cyclists per hour, but to extend it even further. We propose to base the design guidelines on five minutes instead of an hour, take speed ranges and even type of users into account when making infrastructure decisions.