Release from
The number of cycling accidents in Austria has increased significantly over the past ten years. Particularly striking is the rise in single-vehicle accidents, the causes of which are manifold – from lack of riding experience to distraction and inadequate infrastructure. To counteract these developments, the SARA research project – Safe Cycling at Any Age – is systematically investigating cycling skills in Austria for the first time. The aim of the project is to collect reliable data and use it to develop specific recommendations for training, awareness-raising and infrastructure.
Accident figures for cyclists on the rise
Cycling and e-scooter riding are becoming increasingly popular as environmentally friendly and flexible modes of transport. However, this rise in usage has been accompanied by a growing number of accidents. Particularly serious is the disproportionate increase in single-vehicle accidents.
Experts attribute this to a combination of factors:
- insufficient riding experience and competence
- increased risk-taking
- distractions in road traffic
- technical defects on the bicycle
- poor infrastructure
However, there have been no systematic empirical studies on the cycling skills of the Austrian population to date. The SARA project aims to close this research gap.
The SARA project: Focus on cycling skills
SARA focuses on the question of how well people of different age groups can handle bicycles and e-scooters. The project takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining psychological, technical, educational and medical methods.
A key tool is a specially developed skills course that simulates standardised tasks ranging from simple to complex riding situations. This allows riding skills to be measured and compared objectively. In addition to the practical riding tests, self-assessments and external assessments of the test subjects are also collected and then compared with the measured data.
This provides a comprehensive picture of the strengths and weaknesses of different age and target groups. The results form the basis for:
- Target group-specific cycling training with specific content for children, adults and senior citizens
- Recommendations for road safety education and awareness raising that address the discrepancy between self-assessment and actual cycling ability
- Recommendations for action on infrastructure measures, for example in the context of future RVS guidelines
AIT: Precise measurement technology for sound findings
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is making a decisive contribution to SARA with its technological expertise. With its high-precision measurement technology, the AIT plays a key role in the development and implementation of the course test.
Road safety expert Michael Aleksa, who is responsible for the project at AIT, explains: “The data obtained forms an important basis for better understanding the risks involved in cycling and developing targeted measures for training, awareness-raising and infrastructure.”
In this way, AIT is making a significant contribution to the development of practical and effective solutions for improving road safety.
Practical course at De La Salle School Strebersdorf
At the end of September, the skills course was held in close cooperation with De La Salle School Strebersdorf. Pupils from three primary school and six secondary school levels – aged between six and 18 – demonstrated their driving skills. Thanks to the generous open spaces on the school grounds, the tests were able to take place under ideal conditions. The school proved itself to be a reliable project partner for the second time – following the successful collaboration on the e-WALK project – thus underlining its strong commitment to road safety issues.
Strong partnership for greater road safety
The SARA project is coordinated by sicher unterwegs – Verkehrspsychologische Untersuchungen GmbH. In addition to AIT, the following institutions are part of the consortium:
SARA is the first comprehensive, empirically based database on cycling skills in Austria. The interdisciplinary results will enable the development of targeted measures for training and further education, awareness raising and infrastructure. The project thus makes an important contribution to increasing road safety – and to making cycling in Austria safer for all age groups.
SARA is funded by the Austrian Road Safety Fund.