Yes, size does matter (for cycling safety)! Comparing behavioral and safety outcomes in S, M, L, and XL cities from 18 countries

Although most actions aimed at promoting the use of active transport means have been conducted in ‘large’ cities, recent studies suggest that their cycling dynamics could hinder the efforts put into infrastructural, modal share, and cycling culture improvements. Aim The present study aimed to assess the role of city sizes on riding behavioral and crash-related cycling outcomes in an extensive sample of urban bicycle users. Methods For this purpose, a full sample of 5705 cyclists from >300 cities in 18 countries responded to the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), one of the most widely used behavioral questionnaires to assess risky and positive riding behaviors. Following objective criteria, data were grouped according to small cities (S; population of 50,000 or fewer), medium cities (M; population between 50,000 and 200,000), large cities (L; population between 200,000 and one million), and megacities (XL; population larger than one million). Results Descriptive analyses endorsed the associations between city size, cycling behavioral patterns, and mid-term self-reported crash outcomes. Also, it was observed a significant effect of the city size on cyclists' traffic violations and errors (all p < .001). However, no significant effects of the city size on positive behaviors were found. Also, it stands out that cyclists from megacities self-reported significantly more violations and errors than any of the other groups. Further, the outcomes of this study suggest that city sizes account for cycling safety outcomes through statistical associations, differences, and confirmatory predictive relationships through the mediation of risky cycling behavioral patterns. Conclusion The results of the present study highlight the need for authorities to promote road safety education and awareness plans aimed at cyclists in larger cities. Furthermore, path analysis suggests that “size does matter”, and it statistically accounts for cycling crashes, but only through the mediation of riders' risky behaviors

Concept for development of sustainable drinking-water production in the Flemish coastal plain based on integrated water management

More than 10 years of research, starting with geological and hydro geological survey (Zeuwts, 1991) over pumping tests (Lebbe et al., 1995 and 1996) and pilot tests for treatment of the extracted water (Van Houtte et al., 1998 and 2001), showed that sustainable drinking-water production in the Avekapelle creek ridge is feasible and could in the long-term be an alternative for the existing dune water extraction. Under the sandy Avekapelle creek ridge, situated in the polder area south of the Flemish dunes, fresh water appears in the upper part of the unconfined aquifer and salt water in the bottom part. The Kromme Gracht and Oude A-vaart, situated respectively in the west and east of the creek ridge, drain huge amounts of fresh to brackish drainage water out of the polder area to the sea. This water could be reused: alongside an infiltration canal, that could run from west to east over the creek ridge, the drainage water could be recaptured after a soil passage. In dryer periods and summer, when drainage water is not available, wastewater effluent could refill this canal. This paper summarises research and proposes a concept for a sustainable water production in this area based on integrated water management. The treatment of the extracted water would be based on membrane filtration techniques. This concept of water reuse combined to aquifer recharge, could be used in many regions all over the world and could resolve problems of water scarcity and aquifer pollution

Mental fatigue impairs soccer-specific decision-making skill.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of mental fatigue on soccer-specific decision-making. Twelve well-trained male soccer players performed a soccer-specific decision-making task on two occasions, separated by at least 72 h. The decision-making task was preceded in a randomised order by 30 min of the Stroop task (mental fatigue) or 30 min of reading from magazines (control). Subjective ratings of mental fatigue were measured before and after treatment, and mental effort (referring to treatment) and motivation (referring to the decision-making task) were measured after treatment. Performance on the soccer-specific decision-making task was assessed using response accuracy and time. Visual search behaviour was also assessed throughout the decision-making task. Subjective ratings of mental fatigue and effort were almost certainly higher following the Stroop task compared to the magazines. Motivation for the upcoming decision-making task was possibly higher following the Stroop task. Decision-making accuracy was very likely lower and response time likely higher in the mental fatigue condition. Mental fatigue had unclear effects on most visual search behaviour variables. The results suggest that mental fatigue impairs accuracy and speed of soccer-specific decision-making. These impairments are not likely related to changes in visual search behaviour