Reducing rule violations in cycling by investigating causes
Freiburg, 25.06.2025
The joint project RULES investigates why cyclists break the rules and how these violations can be reduced. New findings will be published on the participatory website www.regelverstoesse.de, where all road users can report rule violations.
Traffic violations in cycling, such as riding on the pavement, can lead to dangerous situations and conflicts. The research team behind the RULES project believes that such violations are often not caused by recklessness or ignorance on the part of the perpetrators. “Cyclists are often portrayed as aggressive or reckless road users. However, we want to show that many violations must be viewed in context and arise from unreasonable demands or a lack of clarity in the road space,” explains Dr. habil. Rul von Stülpnagel, research associate in the Center for Cognitive Science at the Department of Psychology and project manager of RULES at the University of Freiburg. “In addition, cyclists themselves are often victims of rule violations by other road users.”
The project aims to create a better understanding of such relationships and thus contribute to a less conflict-prone road environment that all road users find understandable and safe. The platform www.regelverstoesse.de is expected to support this effort starting in June 2025. Using a digital map, all road users can anonymously indicate where and how rule violations occurred.
“Cyclists are often portrayed as aggressive or reckless road users. However, we want to show that many violations must be viewed in context and arise from unreasonable demands or a lack of clarity in the road space.”
Dr. habil. Rul von Stülpnagel
Research assistant in the Center for Cognitive Science at the University of Freiburg
Drawing new conclusions from data sets
Until the end of the project on 31 December 2026, users can report any violations they have experienced or observed. An initial evaluation of the data is planned for late summer 2025. The data will be supplemented with further information, such as accident reports and traffic volume. By involving the public, the team hopes to gain a better understanding of traffic situations that encourage rule violations and the motives behind them. The data could also be used to determine how the incidence of rule violations differs between urban and rural areas.