Road Users' Perceptions of Other Road Users: Do Different Transport Modes Invoke Qualitatively Different Concepts in Observers?

Three thousand bicyclists, 7,000 pedestrians and 7,000 motorcyclists are killed each year in the European Union, just in the original 15 states before the enlargement of 2004. The above three groups are often collectively referred to as "vulnerable road users" because they are physically defenseless, lacking the metal shells, bumpers, side impact bars and so forth enjoyed by people in 'other' vehicles. This study explored the idea that different types of road users are perceived in qualitatively different ways. The research found that people overwhelmingly chose vehicular terms when describing a motor vehicle even when the occupant/driver was clearly visible. Yet, although the study participants strongly agreed on the terms used to describe drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, they did not agree on the terms used to describe motorcyclists.