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Improving cycling safety for children and youth.

Daniel RosenfieldPamela FuselliSuzanne Beno
Published in: Paediatrics & child health (2024)
Cycling remains a popular activity for children and youth around the world, combining the fun of moving at speed with numerous health and societal benefits. However, cycling is also associated with risk for serious injury and death. Over the past decade, research has increasingly shown that improving safety for cyclists depends, in large part, on the environment they are cycling in as well as on individual safety measures such as helmet use. The pandemic provided greater opportunity for many children and youth to engage in cycling, and refocused public attention on safer cycling infrastructure such as protected bike lanes. This statement reviews the evidence supporting safer cycling infrastructure for children and youth along with the physical and mental health benefits of cycling. The advantages of active transportation for young people, and how the built environment influences their cycling safety and uptake, are discussed. An overview of measures individuals can take to improve cycling safety is followed by recommendations for clinicians, the cycling community, parents, and policy-makers.
Keyphrases
  • mental health
  • high intensity
  • young adults
  • healthcare
  • physical activity
  • mental illness
  • palliative care
  • randomized controlled trial
  • emergency department
  • coronavirus disease
  • working memory
  • human health