On the Road to Safety: Examining Children's Cycling Skills and Physical Activity Levels

Background/objectives: Studies indicate a decline in children's physical activity (PA) levels, active mobility, and psychomotor skills, reflected in poorer cycling abilities. These trends are worrying given the rising prevalence of childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles. This study assessed cycling skills among primary school children in Lower Austria, comparing self-perceptions with objective assessments, and explores the relationship between cycling skills, PA levels, and school performance, as well as the impact of cycling training on skill development.

Methods: A multi-level approach was employed, including cycling tests and interviews with children, parents, and teachers. Children's cycling skills were evaluated through objective assessments, while parents and children provided self-assessments. Interviews explored children's preferences, physical activity and travel habits, and school performance.

Results: Overall, the children's cycling skills were rated as good, though turning left, slalom, and emergency braking proved particularly challenging. Significant discrepancies were identified between objective assessments and self-perceptions, with many children-especially girls-overestimating their abilities. Despite some tendencies, no significant associations were found between PA levels or school performance and cycling skills. However, cycling training was significantly associated with improvements in cycling skills.

Conclusions: In light of children's strong preference for incorporating more cycling into their daily travel patterns, the findings underscore the importance of policies promoting safer school environments and encouraging parental support for cycling. More targeted cycling training programs are needed to further enhance children's skills. It is also important to address the tendency of parents to overestimate their children's cycling abilities. These measures could help foster greater use of bicycles for school commutes and improve children's cycling competence and overall health outcomes.