https://newatlas.com/bicycles/proxicycle-bicycle-sensor-safe-cycling-routes/ * SUBSCRIBE * LOG IN * HOME * SCIENCE + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news * TECH + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news * TRANSPORT + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news * LIFESTYLE + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news * BODY & MIND + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health (c) 2025 New Atlas New Atlas Logo Menu * HOME * SCIENCE + Biology + Environment + Materials + Medical + Physics + Space + View all SCIENCE news * TECH + AI & Humanoids + Consumer Tech + Energy + Manufacturing + Military + Robotics + Deals + View all TECHNOLOGY news * TRANSPORT + Aircraft + Automotive + Bicycles + Marine + Motorcycles + Urban Transport + View all TRANSPORT news * LIFESTYLE + Outdoors + Tiny Houses + Architecture + Good Thinking + Holiday Destinations + View all LIFESTYLE news * BODY & MIND + Medical Innovations + Wellness & Healthy Living + Illnesses and conditions + Brain Health * SUBSCRIBE * LOG IN Show Search [ ]Search Query Submit Search * SCIENCE * TECH * TRANSPORT * HEALTH * LIFESTYLE * SUBSCRIBE * HOME Bicycles Bike-mounted sensor could boost the mapping of safe cycling routes By Ben Coxworth May 12, 2025 * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn * Reddit Inline image / New Atlas Bike-mounted sensor could boost the mapping of safe cycling routes The ProxiCycle sensor mounts on the left-hand end of the handlebars The ProxiCycle sensor mounts on the left-hand end of the handlebars Breda et al./CHI '25 View 3 Images The device could cost less than US$25 per unit to build using off-the-shelf components 1/3 The device could cost less than US$25 per unit to build using off-the-shelf components Breda et al./CHI '25 The ProxiCycle sensor mounts on the left-hand end of the handlebars 2/3 The ProxiCycle sensor mounts on the left-hand end of the handlebars Breda et al./CHI '25 The current version of the device has a runtime of approximately 12 hours per battery-charge 3/3 The current version of the device has a runtime of approximately 12 hours per battery-charge Breda et al./CHI '25 Scroll for more View gallery - 3 images Studies have shown that many people don't commute by bike due mainly to a fear of being hit by cars. A new bike-mounted proximity sensor has been designed to help such folks, by objectively telling them which streets are the safest for cyclists. When you look up cycling routes on platforms such as Google Maps, the safety of those routes is based mainly on the number of bicycle-automobile collisions that have been reported on them. Unfortunately, this means that a significant number of such accidents have to occur before a route is deemed unsafe. It also doesn't take into account the smaller "fender-bender" collisions that don't get reported. Mapping platforms additionally base their recommendations on the perceived safety of different streets, as self-reported by cyclists. This is a rather subjective approach. After all, it's certainly possible that motorists may actually tend to give cyclists plenty of space on busy roads that are perceived as being dangerous, while passing dangerously close on quieter "safe" streets. That's where the new ProxiCycle sensor comes in. It's being developed at the University of Washington, by a team led by computer science and engineering doctoral student Joseph Breda. The device could cost less than US$25 per unit to build using off-the-shelf components The device could cost less than US$25 per unit to build using off-the-shelf components Breda et al./CHI '25 The prototype device simply replaces the bike's existing left-side handlebar plug, where it uses two infrared-light-based time-of-flight sensors to monitor the spaces directly beside and immediately behind the bicycle. Whenever an object is detected, the ProxiCycle utilizes a Bluetooth module to transmit the sensor data to an app on the cyclist's smartphone. That app uses a special algorithm to determine if the detected object was an automobile, and if it passed less than 1 m (3.3 ft) from the bike. If the reading meets both of those criteria, it is saved as an example of a motorized vehicle that passed the cyclist too closely. The idea is that over a relatively short period of time, readings gathered from multiple ProxiCycle users could be used to paint a realistic picture of just how dangerous various streets actually are. The current version of the device has a runtime of approximately 12 hours per battery-charge The current version of the device has a runtime of approximately 12 hours per battery-charge Breda et al./CHI '25 In an initial test of the technology, seven cyclists rode through Seattle with both the device and a GoPro camera mounted on their bike. Close-passing incidents recorded by the ProxiCycle were found to match up with those captured by the camera. Next, 15 Seattle cyclists used the device while going on a combined total of 240 bike rides over a two-month period. They recorded 2,050 close passes in that time, with the majority of the incidents taking place in locations where higher-than-average numbers of bike-car collisions had already been reported. The incidents also mostly occurred in areas that cyclists had previously perceived as being dangerous. Importantly, however, the sensor data proved to be a more accurate indicator of just how hazardous those places actually were. Breda and colleagues now plan on conducting larger-scale studies, which will include testing the ProxiCycle in other cities. "Experienced cyclists have this mental map of which streets are safe and which are unsafe, and I wanted to find a simple way to pass that knowledge down to novice cyclists," he says. "Cycling is really good for your health and for the environment. Getting more people biking more often is how we reap those rewards and increase safety in numbers for cyclists on the roads." A paper on the research was recently presented at the ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems in Yokohama, Japan. Handlebar device helps map Seattle bicyclists' risky routes Source: University of Washington View gallery - 3 images Tags BicyclesUniversity of WashingtonCyclingRoad SafetyAccidents * Facebook * Twitter * Flipboard * LinkedIn * Reddit 4 comments Ben Coxworth Ben Coxworth Based out of Edmonton, Canada, Ben Coxworth has been writing for New Atlas since 2009 and is presently Managing Editor for North America. An experienced freelance writer, he previously obtained an English BA from the University of Saskatchewan, then spent over 20 years working in various markets as a television reporter, producer and news videographer. Ben is particularly interested in scientific innovation, human-powered transportation, and the marine environment. Most Viewed * Subaru is now the most reliable car brand Automotive Toyota and Lexus no longer most reliable carmakers, says Consumer Reports * The plasma chamber of the WEST Tokamak reactor Energy France runs fusion reactor for record 22 minutes * Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled the Corleo, a ride-on robot horse, in Osaka Automotive Kawasaki unveils a hydrogen-powered, ride-on robot horse Load More 4 comments Sign in to post a comment. Please keep comments to less than 150 words. No abusive material or spam will be published. Chase May 12, 2025 10:23 PM Might be worth adding the cyclist's speed and posted speed limit on a given stretch of road to that calculation. It's all well and good to cruise around on streets where it's posted 15-20mph but, if you're in a 25-35+ zone doing 10mph on a bike, I don't feel like it's 100% the car's fault for getting too close for comfort. Maybe closer to 90%. Personally, on those roads, I ride like I'm actually trying to get somewhere quickly, often even passing traffic rather than the other way around. This reduces the speed differential between myself and the cage, which both gives them more time to react and makes me slightly less in-the-way. Brian M May 13, 2025 02:59 AM A lot of real bike injuries are not normally related to close passing. (although cars giving plenty of clearance makes sense),. The real worry (for me anyway) is not being seen at junctions, its a major cause of car on car accidents, not surprising considering the work load on the driver at the time so a cyclist is even more at risk. So perhaps a better measure might be the number of junctions on a road? Here in the UK we do have segregated cycle lanes, great idea till you realise they cause even greater workload for drivers where they cross junctions, especially the two way cycle lanes. An accident just waiting to happen, by design! To be safe, better to give way to vehicles and go round the back of them (if you hate hospital food!). PAV May 13, 2025 09:10 AM Now mount a mirror to that so you can see behind you. I'm assuming this is used where you drive on the right side of the road. BeholdersEye May 14, 2025 09:19 AM If people are getting that close to you it's time to take the lane!!! Cyclist cannot be afraid to take the lane if they have to!!! You tried being a good citizen and stick to the right hand side but vehicles don't care... Saving comment... [ ] Post New Atlas Logo FREE NEWSLETTER Over 190,000 people receive our email newsletter. Get your daily dose of extraordinary ideas! 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