IN BRIEF
In the Netherlands, an Ipsos I&O survey of more than 500 parents of child cyclists aged 6 to 14 shows a clear gap: 89% consider their child clearly visible from the front and 85% from behind, but only 51% from the side. 89% believe their child’s lights are in order, yet only 64% feel it is safe for them to ride at night. The study was commissioned by Ziemi, a Dutch start-up that sells a light for the rider’s legs.
| Child considered clearly visible from the front | 89 % |
| Child considered clearly visible from behind | 85 % |
| Child considered clearly visible from the side | 51 % |
| Lights considered in order | 89 % |
| Riding at night considered safe | 64 % |
| Sample | More than 500 parents of children aged 6 to 14 |
From the front, a child on a bike with a headlight on can be seen. From behind too, thanks to the rear light. From the side, many Dutch parents have their doubts. That is what an Ipsos I&O survey published on 13 October shows.
Side visibility on the bike worries parents
The survey was carried out by Ipsos I&O on behalf of Ziemi, among more than 500 parents whose children aged 6 to 14 ride a bike. 89% consider their child clearly visible from the front, 85% from behind, but only 51% from the side. Once informed about side collisions, 35% of parents say they doubt, to a large or very large extent, their child’s visibility from the side.
Another gap: 89% of parents believe the lights on their child’s bike are in order, but only 64% feel it is safe for their child to ride at night with them.
More supervision, more car trips
Doubt is changing habits. Because of the darkness, 55% of families more often have the child accompanied by an adult, and 47% of parents more often drive them or pick them up by car. More than a third of parents say they are more worried than a few years ago. Among the reasons, they cite road users showing less consideration for one another, fatbikes, heavier traffic, e-bikes and higher speeds.
“Traffic has changed,” sums up Douwe Korver of Ziemi, quoted by NieuwsFiets.
A survey commissioned by a lighting maker
The client has a product to sell: Ziemi offers a small light that illuminates the cyclist’s moving legs, priced at €34.95 on its website. NieuwsFiets also reports that Veilig Verkeer Nederland, the Dutch road safety association, looks favourably on additional lighting when it improves visibility, on top of the mandatory lights.
