Seattle Now A tiny handlebar sensor could make cycling safer in Seattle
Jun 17, 2025
Joe Breda, a University of Washington PhD student, is revolutionizing cycling safety with his innovative handlebar sensor designed to identify Seattle's riskiest bike routes. In the conversation, he shares insights on overcoming fears associated with biking in traffic and how the sensor detects dangerous vehicle passes. The discussion emphasizes the impact of this technology on bike safety, driver behavior, and even urban planning. Breda's project is garnering attention and support from the local cycling community, potentially paving the way for safer rides for everyone.
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Patricia's Close Pass Experience
- Patricia Murphy shared her personal experience of feeling adrenaline rush due to close encounters with cars while biking in Seattle.
- She originally felt fantastic biking but realized the stress and danger when close passes happened frequently.
Cyclist Interest in Safety Study
- Joe received over 200 responses from cyclists wanting to participate in his sensor study.
- He hand made 15 sensors and distributed them to selected participants for data collection.
Close Passes as Safety Indicators
- Close passes can serve as a proxy for collision risk in cycling safety studies.
- This measure helps identify dangerous areas without needing actual collisions to occur.