Kalmar
The Swedish city Kalmar made a project about biking in bad weather conditions. In order to gain knowledge of obstacles and
experience of cycling in the rain and cold, the project chose experienced consultants, “test pilots”, who cycle daily and have first hand knowledge of the problems connected with cycling in all types of weather. The test pilots were recruited from the municipality (Streets and Public Parks Office, Community Planning Office and City Council Office) and from Kalmar University. Others were recruited through information conveyed via the project’s municipal website. There were a total of 17 test pilots, 11 women and six men, aged between 24 and 60. The test pilots were, during the test period, required to follow their habitual routine and choose means of transportation as they would normally.
The test pilots began by documenting their trips in a transportation journal over a tenday period. They were also supposed to describe their “thought patterns” as to why they chose a particular means of transport. They were also asked to note which problems they had during the journey and other basic information such as weather, number of kilometres, road conditions etc. All of the participants were given a bicycle computer to facilitate keeping track of these details. The results were compiled and presented during an evening showing at a bicycle shop. Various solutions to several of their problems were presented. The test pilots got the opportunity to choose equipment to a value of 200 EUR (clothes, equipment, bicycle bags etc), which could hopefully resolve the problems, related to obstacles that were experienced.
Thereafter the equipment was tested and evaluated in a web-based transportation journal for a period of 30 days. The project ended with a questionnaire directed to the test pilots regarding the equipment. The research showed that the main obstacles for cycling in bad weather were bad road surfaces and missing space for transport of cargo or children on the bicycle. On third and forth position followed clothes (rain, too cold, too warm, feeling “proper” upon arrival) and equipment (frozen generators, lanterns).
Kalmar wrote a detailed report about this pilot action, which is available on: : www.balticseacycling.com
