The Holoscene Bike provides Cycle Competence member Salzburg Research with an innovative research tool that uses state-of-the-art sensor technology to deliver objective data on cycling safety. Developed by Berlin-based start-up Boréal Bikes, the bike is equipped with LiDAR, GPS, cameras and communication technology and is being used in several projects.

These range from analysing overtaking manoeuvres between cyclists and motor vehicles to real-time warnings for cyclists about potential collisions through communication with automated vehicles. As part of RADBEST, Reallabor Nußdorferstraße and MZSFreiland projects, the Holoscene Bike provides valuable insights into the behaviour of motor vehicle drivers towards cyclists, thereby supporting the development of targeted measures to improve cycling infrastructure – both in urban areas and on rural roads.

The Holoscene Bike was developed by the Berlin-based start-up Boréal Bikes and is used by Salzburg Research for research purposes in the field of cycling safety, in particular for analysing overtaking manoeuvres by motor vehicles.

Equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology, the Holoscene Bike enables precise measurements and comprehensive data collection. The technical equipment includes:

• GPS receiver for accurate positioning
• Inertial measurement units (IMUs) for analysing riding behaviour
• LiDAR sensors (3D laser scanners) for three-dimensional detection of the environment
• Cameras that provide visual data to supplement the LiDAR information
• On-board computer
• Interfaces for wireless communication: LTE/5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, LTE/5G and C-ITS/V2X
• Electric drive

The innovative Holoscene Bike research bicycle weighs between 40 and 50 kilograms. (Image: Boréal Bikes)

The LiDAR data collected produces so-called point clouds – a three-dimensional image of the environment. On this basis, the position and size of vehicles can be determined and relevant parameters such as distances and speeds can be calculated. The data obtained forms a sound basis for scientific evaluations and the development of targeted measures to improve road safety for cyclists.

Representation of the vehicles and surroundings captured by the Holoscene Bike as a point cloud (Image: Salzburg Research)

A wide range of applications for greater road safety

The Holoscene Bike is being used in various research projects to increase the safety of cyclists in road traffic. Two key applications demonstrate the potential of the technology:

Connectivity with automated vehicles

In a first use case, the Holoscene Bike was equipped with ITS communication technologies to transmit its position and direction of movement in real time to surrounding vehicles and the traffic infrastructure via a special radio standard. The aim was to enable automated vehicles in particular to detect the bicycle at an early stage – even when it was still outside the range of their own sensors. At the same time, cyclists received warning messages when potential collisions were detected. This solution was developed and tested as part of the Bike2CAV project.

Measuring overtaking manoeuvres for objective assessment of cycling safety

Another key use case is the analysis of overtaking manoeuvres between motor vehicles and cyclists – especially in confined road conditions. Salzburg Research has developed a method that uses the Holoscene Bike to systematically record and evaluate overtaking manoeuvres. This is based on point clouds generated by LiDAR sensors, which can be used to identify vehicles and precisely measure their distance from the bicycle during overtaking manoeuvres.

The analysis of overtaking distances provides important insights into the objectively measurable safety of cyclists and supports the development of targeted measures to improve cycling infrastructure.

In the transnational research project RADBEST, led by Salzburg Research, this method was applied to investigate how cycling on main roads with limited space can be made safer and more comfortable. We have already reported on the RADBEST project here.

Contact for enquiries

Salzburg Research, Cornelia Zankl, cornelia.zankl@salzburgresearch.at

Images: Salzburg Research/Konrad Fersterer, Boréal Bikes, Salzburg Research/wildbild/Herbert Rohrer