Does shared space lead to more communication in cyclists?

The present study investigated whether ‘the claim’ of Shared Space does make sense. Shared Space is a way of thinking about public spaces: no particular traffic mode should be better accommodated that others. Hence, traffic is no more regulated by traffic signs and traditional road lay-outs, but only by the courtesy of the traffic participants. The idea is that an environment in a town or village should be designed to be there and stay, not just to pass through. Shared-Space advocates claim that in a Shared-Space environment more communication between traffic participants will occur causing a more natural development of traffic flow.
We observed the behaviour of cyclists on three intersections; one regulated with priority signs, one without priority regulation but with a conventional lay-out, and one in a Shared-Space environment. The behaviours were categorized in various classes from which various communication possibilities were concluded. It was found that the cyclists in the Share-Space environment showed more behaviours that may be useful in communicating intentions to others, than in the conventionally designed environments. Gender and age differences did not show behaviour differences. It is speculated to what extent the behaviours could be attributed completely to the Shared-Space environment.