SafeCycle4Kids - Enhancing physical activity uptake for children through the provision of safe cycle interventions

SafeCycle4Kids addresses the objective of ‘encouraging a healthy lifestyle’ for children by supporting cycling adoption as a mean of active travel that can improve the physical activity level. Kids ( & families) do not cycle because of safety concerns. In Europe, the majority of children does not attain 60min of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day, which has been associated with adverse health outcomes not only in childhood (e.g. lower mineral bone density, higher weight status, lower mental health, unhealthy body composition, lower muscle strength), but also in later life (e.g. increased odds of cardio-vascular diseases and several cancers) ( Lee et al, 2012; Oliver et al, 2011; Garrad et al, 2009). For this reason, SafeCycle4Kids concept is based on two principles that will increase the safety and therefore confidence of young cyclists and their families: 1) Parental perceptions of children’s cycling and traffic skills are an important correlate of children’s independent mobility. 2) Increasing children’s cycling and traffic skills are important targets in cycling promotion among children. The five partners will develop a safe cycling training for kids and parents that can be used as the basis for a European-wide intervention, based on the good practices training that have been applied in various countries so far. This will increase the physical activity levels of kids and families through an economic, green and inclusive method of exercise, cycling.