The goal of this thesis is to analyse whether the method “Observiaire” is of any use for traffic analysis. The method consists of analysing film material, preferably before and after changes are made to an area, by answering a survey for the users that are observed within the population. The method also opens up for deeper qualitative analyses which are rooted in the quantitative data collected from the survey-study. In this study we analyse the method by applying it to the case study of the changes made at Götgatan in Stockholm, where a green wave was implemented and the bicycle road widened. By analysing how the changes has affected the cyclists we then compare the data with the results one can expect from the more used methods such as flow measurement and research of travel habits. The result of this comparison shows that the more common analysis methods leave a void for which kind of data they can gather, a void that the Observiaire method can help to fill. With the data obtained from this study we then show that the changes made at Götgatan has a positive effecton its bicyclists. By comparing the changes with data collected through interviews and a literature study we argue that a focus on enhancing the experience for cyclists can have a positive effect, both for the cyclists but also socioeconomically.

Cycling is undergoing a welcome renaissance, especially in urban contexts. However, there are tensions, in relation to pedestrians, which could negatively affect cycling’s growth. This thesis observes the social interactions and physical reactions of cyclists when co-present with pedestrians at a zebra crossing in central Stockholm. It uses both in-person and video observations with the films being processed using an observiaire, a relatively novel, quantitative method of capturing human behaviours. The results were explored using ideas on the practice of cycling and the street as a social space. It seems that cyclist’s momentum and desire to save energy is clearly important as cyclists will do almost anything except stop for a pedestrian. However, they also seem to have an ability and wish to cooperate. This could be using waves, nods, or shouts, but also invisible and physical communication, what I term peripheral communication. Overall, the cyclists observed were constantly balancing their desire for efficiency against their consideration of pedestrians.