How cyclists interact with the infrastructure, and how they integrate the handling of additional tasks, is dependent on the surrounding traffic situation and the cyclists’ characteristics. To study these relationships, a semi-controlled field study was conducted with 41 cyclists, who belonged to different cyclist groups with respect to their usual travel speed during transport trips. Speed, gaze direction and tactical behaviour like choice of path and the interaction with incoming text messages was logged, while the cyclists travelled along a six kilometre long route in the inner city of Linköping. Interviews and think aloud protocols, as well as video recordings from different perspectives were employed as well.

It was common that the cyclists ignored incoming text messages, a third was answered directly while cycling. The texting while cycling did not lead to attentional decrements, because the cyclists adapted their interaction with the telephone to the prevailing traffic situation. The interaction with the phone did not differ substantially between cyclist groups. However, the design of the infrastructure affected the cyclist groups differently, where faster cyclists were delayed more in cases where the infrastructure necessitated stops regardless of the traffic situation, while comfort cyclists were the group delayed most in a roundabout that was difficult to interpret. Cycling on the pavement was common, and it mainly reflects the insecurity experienced in mixed traffic with cars. It is important to consider the different needs of different cyclist types when planning the road infrastructure, to avoid irritation, insecurity and conflicts.