Workshop 1: Cycling Infrastructure – Perceived and Objective Safety

Most countries have a clear ambition to increase cycling and other forms of active transport. For people to choose the bicycle, it must be perceived as a safe option. However, certain infrastructure solutions may appear safe while actually increasing risk. Common examples include separate cycle lanes in roundabouts or curbstones used to divide traffic.

This raises key questions: Which types of infrastructure improve both perceived and actual safety? Can design solutions be developed that address both simultaneously? What examples can be drawn from different countries? Insights from Oslo will also be shared.

The workshop will begin with an introduction by TØI, outlining the problem and presenting examples from Norway and Oslo. This will be followed by short presentations from participants, after which we will break into smaller groups to discuss challenges and potential solutions in depth. The workshop will conclude with each group presenting their findings in a final plenary session.

The bicycle tour the same day will include visiting some of the streets used as examples provided in the introduction given by TØI.

This workshop is open to researchers and professionals interested in traffic safety, planning and infrastructure design. If possible, we would like participants to present 2-3 pptx slides with examples from their own country.

Workshop 2: Getting Along on the Road – Respect, Communication, and Safety

This workshop addresses the challenge of road user conflict. We will focus on getting along on the road and how we can address negative emotions such as road rage. Yet, numerous examples of positive interactions can be found when navigating urban traffic. Participants will explore if and how infrastructure, policy measures, campaigns, and education can facilitate getting along on the road.

The workshop will include presentations from experts from different disciplines. Afterwards, participants will break into small groups to design interventions in four steps: (1) identify factors that result in negative interactions, (2) find areas where action can be taken, (3) create a specific intervention strategy focused on positive outcomes and (4) how this intervention can be put into practice.

This workshop is open to researchers and professionals interested in traffic safety, campaigns, inclusivity, diversity, and intervention design. To facilitate discussions, attendees are encouraged to keep a one-week “road communication diary” to document positive and negative interactions they observe or experience.