Study shock: Drivers don’t see cyclists as ‘real humans’

A new study has found that more than half of Australia’s drivers think cyclists are “not completely human” and there is a link between that view and acts of deliberate aggression towards bike riders on the road.

A NEW Australian study has revealed why some drivers think it’s OK to terrorise cyclists.

The study found more than half of the nation’s drivers think cyclists are “not completely human”.

Researchers at QUT’s Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety — Queensland (CARRS-Q), Monash University and the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences looked at a road-user group with the problem of dehumanisation, which is typically studied in relation to attitudes towards racial or ethnic groups.

They believe if drivers can put a human face to cyclists, it could reduce aggression directed at cyclists and road trauma involving riders.

Disturbingly, the study found 55 per cent of non-cyclists and 30 per cent of cyclists rated cyclists as “not completely human”.

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Bicycle Queensland CEO, Anne Savage said the results were “deeply concerning”.

“This study confirms the types of behaviours we see every day on Queensland’s roads, where cyclists may be targeted by drivers for no other reason than their decision to be a part of the cycling community,” Ms Savage said.

“Every act of road rage, impatience, and soft hostility is a slap in the face of community standards.

“Whether it’s cutting someone off or giving them the finger — you can cost a person their life and shatter the dreams of their friends and family members.”

The study’s lead author Dr Alexa Delbosc, senior lecturer at Monash University’s Institute of Transport Studies, said they found 17 per cent of drivers admitted using their car to deliberately block a cyclist, 11 per cent had deliberately driven their car close to a cyclist and 9 per cent had used their car to cut off a cyclist.

“When you don’t think someone is ‘fully’ human, it’s easier to justify hatred or aggression towards them,” Dr Delbosc said.

“Ultimately we want to understand this process so we can do a better job at putting a human face to people who ride bikes, so that hopefully we can help put a stop to the abuse.”

Ms Savage said the study was further proof that a Road Safety and Healthy Travel Commission was urgently needed in Queensland.

“Last year 247 Queenslanders died on our roads. They were our mothers, fathers, football coaches, teachers, and members of the cycling community,” she said.

“The number injured and seriously hurt is equally unacceptable — for every single fatality, over 24 people are hospitalised because of road crashes.

“All of these deaths and injuries were preventable. The strange thing is, few of us believe that until it happens to someone we know.

“We have called for an independent Commission of experts to enable greater co-ordination of efforts to combat road rage and other risks through innovation and engagement — bringing together key players to share knowledge and find solutions.

“Importantly, it would drive a wholly collaborative approach across the public, private, and community sectors, harnessing existing knowledge to deliver improved road safety outcomes for all Queenslanders.”

Co-author of the study, CARRS-Q centre director Narelle Haworth, said it revealed that the problem of dehumanisation on the roads was not just a case of car driver versus cyclist.

“Among people who ride, among people who don’t ride, there is still people who think that cyclists aren’t fully human,” Prof Haworth said.

Generic pictures around Perth of dangerous , traffic obstructing , road rule breaking cyclists . Cyclists on Leach Hwy in Bullcreek .

“The dehumanisation scale is associated with the self-reporting of direct aggression.

“Using your car to deliberately block a cyclist, using your car to deliberately cut off a cyclist, throwing an object at a cyclist — these acts of direct aggression are dangerous.”

While it’s not hard to find horror stories about cyclists and drivers sharing the roads, it’s a long way from reality for Stafford cyclist Tom Eckert.

The 23-year-old rides up to 200km every week — both commuting and socially — and said he rarely experienced conflict with drivers.

“In my experience, it’s pretty good,” he said.

“You get the odd bogan who gives you a bit of lip yelling ‘get off the road’ or ‘pay rego’, but most people are actually pretty good.”

But Mr Eckert agreed there was an “us and them” mentality from both sides, which needed to stop.

“Putting a human face to cyclists — making drivers see us as real people with families — would definitely help the situation.

“We’re all just people sharing the roads.

“If you’re in a car, then that’s cool.

“If you choose to be on a bike trying to get a bit of exercise or reducing your carbon output, then that’s cool too.”

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Ms Savage called for an immediate funding increase for cycling infrastructure.

She said Queensland’s Transport and Roads Investment Program (2018-19 to 2021-22) pledged about $21.7B for roads and transport infrastructure compared to $240.1M for cycling infrastructure, planning, and programs.

“The State Government’s current four-year ‘investment’ in cycling is just one per cent of overall road spending on a much-needed transport solution that could save us billions into the future.

“Queensland has the power and the people to achieve a congestion-free transport network, but we need to lift funding beyond one per cent — increasing it to five, eight, and 10 per cent in step with other integrated transport strategies.

“Cycling is one of the easy keys to creating fitter, happier, and better-connected communities.

“The most recent National Cycling Participation Survey found a resounding majority of Queenslanders want to see stronger investment in bikeways (67 per cent), and better connections between bike paths and schools, shops, pools, and parks.

“59 per cent of Queenslanders have also called for more on-road bike lanes.

“The proposed Commission would spearhead efforts to create an affordable, efficient, and congestion-free transport system, while helping to reduce Queensland’s road toll and promote a healthy and safe transport future for all Queenslanders.

“Every life lost or limited through this culture of dehumanisation and aggression is a preventable tragedy,” Ms Savage said.

“We must find new ways of approaching road safety, bringing different authorities and experts to one table under the guidance of a dedicated Commission, to realise the goal of zero deaths and aggression on our roads.”

She said anyone interested in finding out more about cycling can visit www.bq.org.au or call Bicycle Queensland on 3844 1144.

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