Safe transportation of children by bike
The proportion of bicycles in road traffic has increased significantly in recent years, particularly in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in urban areas. Bicycles are increasingly being used not only as a means of transportation for the riders themselves, but also as a means of transport for children. In addition to the classic child seat, bicycle trailers and cargo bikes are also increasingly being used for this purpose.
From this background, the German Insurers' Accident Research has examined the three different types of transportation in a recent study. In addition to a comprehensive literature review, the study includes accident data analyses, surveys, crash tests and driving tests as well as numerical simulations.
The analysis of accident data was based on EUSKa data and shows, among other things, the comparison between accidents involving bicycles as a whole and accidents involving bicycles in which a child was being transported by bicycle. Another focus was the analysis of the active and passive safety of transporting children on bicycles. Crash tests were carried out for this purpose, reflecting the focal points of the accidents. Driving tests were used to investigate the dynamic limits of the individual types of transport. In addition, FEM models of the three types of transportation were created in order to depict and evaluate further accident scenarios. An online survey was also conducted on the topics of bicycle type, intended use, route selection and safety-critical situations of the users, as well as a field survey, in which, in addition to helmet and seat belt use, operating errors during the installation and use of safety devices for children were also examined. The results of the study were used to derive recommendations for legislators, bicycle manufacturers and parents.