Understanding Cycling Experience Through Physiological Responses

Only a relatively small number of Australians cycle regularly, and many people point to concerns about safety, comfort, and the quality of infrastructure as reasons why they don’t ride more often. If we want to design environments that genuinely support cycling, we need to understand not just what people say they feel, but also how they actually respond, both mentally and physically, when they’re riding in different conditions. In this project, we use virtual reality (VR) to place participants in a range of simulated cycling environments. While they’re immersed in these scenarios, we measure brain activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which is a safe, non-invasive way of tracking changes in blood flow in the brain. We also capture physiological responses like heart rate and skin conductance, which give us insight into stress levels, arousal, and overall engagement. By bringing together measures of brain activity, physiological measures, and participant feedback, we aim to build a clearer picture of how different cycling environments affect attention, mental workload, and perceptions of safety. Ultimately, this work will help identify the factors that influence cycling behaviour and support the design of infrastructure that feels safer, more comfortable, and more appealing to a broader range of people.