Bicycle Network: Behaviour

Honda launches bike safety simulator

21 October 2009. Honda has developed a traffic simulator for bikes, based on already available simulators for cars and motorcycles.

The simulator, designed for use by both children and adults, will go on sale from next February.

By safely experiencing the possible risks bicycle riders may face, users will improve their ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness, Honda said.

The simulator software contains various courses such as “going to school, and “going to a local shopping street” to offer realistic experiences for user groups.

It also has a course for the user to learn traffic laws and rider etiquette needed to ride a bicycle in mixed traffic.

After the simulation, the rider’s path can be reviewed from multiple vantage points – above/below and right/left – and the riding situation and evaluation will be displayed on the monitor.

Honda is aiming for widespread use of this simulator by a range of customers including public offices, law-enforcement organizations, driving schools and educational institutions which conduct bicycle safety education programs primarily for school children and senior citizens.

Such a simulator may also prove beneficial in the education and training of motor vehicle drivers, increasing their awareness and appreciation of the bike rider's rights as a road user.