Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting

CRBAM is a place to discuss, interact, and generate new ideas that promote cycling for all. For that, it is high time that we take advantage of the rich and varied expertise of the people participating to collectively push for more inclusive design of cycling infrastructure and innovation, as well as compassionate road behaviour. While there has been increased interest in cycling and vulnerable population groups, among all of them, people with hearing difficulties have been widely ignored in research and practice. In Europe, over 34 million people have a disabling hearing loss while around 20% of the European population experiences some degree of hearing loss. Considering the ageing population trend and the associated hearing loss, the percentage is expected to increase severely. Thus, as a cycling community, we are responsible for facilitating the mobility needs of this group to the maximum extent possible.
The workshop serves this purpose and aims to collaboratively identify and discuss critical points for cyclists with hearing difficulties. The workshop will have the following phases:
Identify critical points for cyclists with hearing difficulties. The focus will be on infrastructure, traffic flow, and different types of road users. The goal is to identify different stressors related to road safety, comfort and stress in cycling (work in groups).
Recognise and suggest potential measures, both technological advancements on bikes and road infrastructure, as well as soft measures, including awareness and recognition of cyclists with hearing difficulties. Participants will bring in their own knowledge from research, policy, industries, and practice. The goal is to map the pool of potential measures and the stakeholders involved in this (work in groups).
Having gained insight into the problems and opportunities, the focus for the whole workshop team shifts to designing the “Cycling dreamland for people with hearing difficulties”. Apart from infrastructure, technology, and campaigns, necessary changes in legislation and regulations will be discussed.