Research team contacts

Principal Researcher:

Professor Ioni Lewis, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

Associate Researcher:

Dr Sherrie-Anne Kaye, School of Psychology & Counselling, QUT

Research Student:

Phoebe Gates, School of Psychology and Counselling, QUT

Research Centre / Group:

MAIC-QUT Road Safety Research Collaboration

What is the purpose of this research?

The purpose of this research project is to examine whether a bike rider's apparel (Lycra vs casual clothing) and their gender (male vs female) influences drivers' intention to adopt a minimum passing distance when overtaking them. This study also examines whether driving anger and attitudes towards bike riders more broadly influence drivers’ intentions to overtake bike riders at a minimum passing distance.

Are you looking for people like me?

You are invited to participate in this research project because you are aged 18 years or older, hold a current and valid driver’s licence of at least the Provisional/Probationary class (or equivalent), have driven a car in the last month and currently reside in an Australian State or Territory.

What will you ask me to do?

Your participation will involve completing an online questionnaire with questions seeking your response on mostly 7-Point Likert scales ranging from 'Strongly disagree' [1] to 'Strongly agree' [7]. You will also be shown images representing the scenarios in terms of bike riders’ apparel and gender, and your responses will be sought in relation to each of the scenarios. The questionnaire will take approximately 20-minutes of your time.

Are there any risks for me in taking part?

There are some risks associated with your participation in this research project. These include:

  • a possibility you may experience minor discomfort in answering questions related to driving if you have had a negative driving experience, particularly with a bike rider, such as memories of a crash with a bike rider you were involved in or if you know someone (either a bike rider or driver) who was involved in a road crash
  • minor discomfort in answering questions related to your level of driving anger and attitudes towards bike riders

Given there are legal requirements with what constitutes a minimum passing distance when motorists are overtaking bike riders, you may have concerns that your responses may be associated with potential legal consequences if you indicate having not maintained the required distance. However, none of the questions ask for you to report your behaviour (and any specific instances of such) in terms of whether you have (or have not) maintained the legal passing distance. Instead, the questions ask you about your beliefs and intentions relating to adopting a minimum passing distance as well as your perceptions of the legal requirements for passing distances only.

Individual discretion is advised when considering whether participation in the survey is appropriate given your personal experiences and what may cause you potential discomfort.

Are there any benefits for me in taking part?

It is expected that this research project will not directly benefit you. However, it may help to inform future interventions such as public education and advertising campaigns helping motorists to understand factors that may affect their beliefs and behaviours regarding passing distances when overtaking bike riders.

Will I be compensated for my time?

To recognise your contribution should you choose to participate, the research team is offering you the chance to win 1 of 4 $50 electronic Woolworths group vouchers.

I am interested - what should I do next?

To participate in the study or for further details, check the online survey.

Online survey

QUT Ethics Number: 10932