Cycling Research Board Annual Meeting

Transporting children by bicycle is becoming increasingly common in Belgium, particularly in urban environments. This growth is accompanied by a wide range of cycling equipment to include young passengers to ride along: child seats, trailers, longtail bikes, two- and three-wheeled cargo bikes, tow-bikes and more. While this evolution offers multiple benefits, it also raises important road safety concerns, as children remain among the most vulnerable road users.

This presentation brings the results of a comprehensive study that compares bicycle setups for child transport in terms of safety, advantages, and associated risks. The study draws on literature, accident data, regulatory frameworks and stakeholder perspectives to support the development of two practical decision-making tools.

Before presenting these tools, we invite the audience to reflect on and discuss the following questions. This interactive exchange will help us gather insights on the perceived benefits and challenges of cycling with children.

• Looking at today’s diverse options for transporting children, which ones do you perceive as safer or riskier, and why? What experiences or insights shape your view?
• If you think about accidents you’ve heard of or experienced, what do you believe the Belgian accident data can reveal and what might remain hidden?
• In your opinion, what would truly help parents make safe and informed choices when selecting equipment to cycle with children?

To wrap up the session we will present two practical decision-support tools that were developed within the study: a buyer’s guide and a multi-criteria evaluation matrix. These tools aim to assist families in selecting equipment suited to their needs by balancing safety, comfort, capacity, and cost. Beyond consumer guidance, the study formulates broader policy and infrastructure recommendations to make cycling with children safer, more accessible, and better adapted to family mobility.