Abstract
Cycling may be rejected by potential participants for a number of reasons, some of which are physical and relate to the impact of the surrounding environment from which the cycle user is relatively little protected. These impacts include surface profile and roughness, gradients, number of starts and stops, and wind speed, which all affect the power output required of the cycle user. They also include the location relative to other traffic of the cycle user and this may be influenced by simple distance and also the noise level experienced.
The paper describes the set up of an instrumented bicycle which is being assembled at the University of Bolton. The bicycle includes accelerometers, a potentiometer, an anemometer, distance meter, sound level meter, GPS and power output measurement devices as well as a camera.
The paper discusses issues in relation to methods for measuring surface profile and will compare current UK methods and standards for highway pavement maintenance, which are principally directed at the needs of motor traffic, with the needs of cycle users. The presentation will provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss the issues of objective measurement of factors which influence the pleasure of cycling.