Children shouldn’t cycle alone, expert says
Children under the age of 12 should not cycle alone to school on major roads without adult supervision, according to road traffic specialist Stijn Daniels of the University of Hasselt.
Last year 2,103 children were involved in traffic accidents in Flanders, in most cases while on their way to and from school. Last week as school started, three children were injured in accidents, two while cycling in Lier and Heverlee and one while crossing the road after getting off a school bus in Meise.
According to Daniels, children under the age of 12 lack the ability to correctly judge distances and speeds of other vehicles, as well as the insight to know whether a driver has seen them. His advice was backed up by the cycling organisation Fietsersbond. “Cycle along with your children, point out to them the possible dangers and don’t always go for the shortest route,” said a spokesperson.
The Flemish Youth Council, however, said removing children from the roads would only increase the danger for other cyclists. “The real work for road safety isn’t done by removing children from the roads but by making schools more safely accessible for children,” said chair Lander Piccart. “What is needed are more car-free zones around schools and better cycle links.”
Education minister Pascal Smet and mobility minister Hilde Crevits, meanwhile, have proposed a plan to increase the number of primary schools taking part in cycling tests. The government is not in favour of making adult supervision for school-going children legally obligatory, Crevits said.
