VIPs on bicycles demand more safe space to exercise in traffic
Demanding more space for young cyclists in traffic? We at Mobiel 21 did just that with a striking guerrilla action on one of the busiest streets in Leuven. And so, in the second week of the school year, 10 children from the third grade rode to school accompanied by bodyguards.
Every school year, hundreds of thousands of students cycle to school. And, as any adult well knows, learning to ride a bike is a process of trial and error. So if children want to gain practical experience in traffic, they need enough safe space to do so. AND patience and understanding from other road users. There is still work to be done there. That is why Mobiel 21 joined forces with De Zevensprong primary school for the VIP's on the Bicycle campaign . To draw attention to more safe space on the road for children to learn to cycle. The action has the support of All for Zero, an initiative to reduce the number of road deaths in our country to zero by 2050.
Going to school with a bodyguard
For 10 second grade students, the morning bike ride to school that day would be a little different. They would meet at Martelarenplein and then cycle to school together, accompanied by seven bodyguards. We send those bodyguards along to literally give those little cyclists their free, safe space on the street. They walk along the whole route and ensure that the children have enough space on the road at all times. Along the way, they make it clear to other road users that there are children on the lane and that extra vigilance is advised. It turned out to be a cheerful, positive action that had a lot of spectators on the road.
Our research among cycling mums in Leuven shows that in the morning rush, other road users often have little patience with children who are still learning to ride in traffic. Therefore, with VIPs on the Bicycle, we are boosting the demand for more safe space for children to learn how to cycle. Space where children are allowed to make mistakes, but above all space on the road where they can work on their traffic skills without stress and at their own pace.
Survey with cycling mums provides inspiration
Parents play a crucial role in choosing their children's means of transport and route to school. They are also the key figures in teaching cycling and traffic skills. Their sense of safety is therefore decisive in how children get to school. To know where things go wrong and to find workable solutions to problems on the road, the researchers at Mobiel 21 jumped on their bikes for a study. Mobiel 21 compiled the insights from the bicycle trips and the in-depth interviews into a report with recommendations for a more inclusive cycling policy. Among other things, the participants ask for
- fewer confrontations between cyclists and motorised traffic by e.g. reducing car traffic, constructing separate bike paths and implementing speed reductions.
- clear and unambiguous traffic rules that help parents to give good instructions to their children beforehand and along the way.
- more positive support when children are learning to cycle. This can be done by giving space to make mistakes, encouraging children to cycle positively more often instead of just focusing on the risks. Unfortunately, this does happen more often such as with the well-known sensitisation campaigns around wearing a helmet and visibility with fluo.
The report offers local policymakers and organisations many more tools and insights to make cycling really safer.
The action with the bodyguards not only highlights the demand for more safe space, but also gives the children a unique experience, as they arrive at school as real VIPs. Road safety is an important issue for us, so after the action the pupils can share their experiences and ask experts questions in class.
Coördinator Basisschool De Zevensprong
Want to know more about our research with cycling moms?
Sanne Vanderstraeten, who supervised the research, is happy to provide more information. Contact her using the form below.
Related insights
What makes research by Mobiel 21 so unique?
Mobiel 21 conducts mobility research that translates social signals and policy questions into concrete action points. Cycling behaviour, mobility poverty or support for local mobility measures? Together with citizens, policymakers, companies and all kinds of other organisations, we arrive at new insights. In an accessible and people-oriented way. Discover how we work.
Safe school environments as standard, not optional
Every year, our roads get a little busier. School environments are unfortunately no exception. Make child-friendly school environments the norm and read our white paper, based on data from dozens of school transport plans we created in recent years.
Safe school environments and routes
Children deserve a safe journey to school. We work with schools, parents, local authorities and pupils to create safer routes, reduce traffic pressure and promote active travel in the school environment.