Although many European countries are currently experiencing a renaissance of cycling, this does not apply to young people. Over the last few decades, countries have recorded a significant decline in interest in cycling among children and young people aged 6 to 20.
Sharp declines documented across multiple countries
A Swiss study from 2022 summarised public survey results from a range of countries – and the numbers, unfortunately, paint a grim picture. In the French city of Lille, the number of young cyclists under 18 decreased fourfold between 1987 and 2016. In Ireland, a little more than 15% of young people cycled in 1986, but by 2016 the figure had fallen to just 2.1%. In Switzerland, bicycle use among teenagers aged 13 to 15 fell from 32% to 19%. In the United States, where cycling rates have long been low, the share of students regularly cycling to high school dropped from 2% in 1977 to 0.8% in 2017. Even countries traditionally known for high rates of cycling to school, such as Denmark (37.4%), are not immune to this trend. Why is this happening?
The vicious circle of commuting
It is often said that young people are more interested in smartphones and video games than physical activity or that the growing number of expectations and obligations leaves them less time for cycling than their parents had. But that is only part of the truth. One of the reasons frequently mentioned is that as the number of cars in households increases, more children and adolescents are driven to school by parents. This contributes to heavier car traffic around schools, creating a vicious circle in which growing motor traffic discourages more active forms of mobility. These trends are worrying in terms of future outlooks because mobility habits developed at a young age tend to persist into adulthood.
Over the last few decades, countries have recorded a significant decline in interest in cycling among children and young people aged 6 to 20. © Profimedia
What a Swiss city of Yverdon revealed about teen cycling habits
A more detailed look at the factors behind the declining interest in cycling among children and teenagers comes from a study conducted in the Swiss city of Yverdon, located in the French-speaking part of the country and home to roughly 30,000 residents. In 2020, researchers surveyed the mobility habits of young people aged 12 to 20. Belonging to one region or another plays a significant role: while teenagers in the German-speaking cantons make 26% of all their trips by bike, the share in the French-speaking region is only 4% (and 5% in the Italian-speaking areas). These differences are attributed to a greater cultural acceptance of cycling, a higher number of traffic-calmed zones, and more advanced cycling infrastructure.
Why do teenagers stop cycling at 15 and again at 18
Published in 2022, the Yverdon study revealed several interesting findings. Unsurprisingly, if cycling is not considered “cool” within a given community, the willingness to take it up decreases significantly – an effect that appears stronger among girls than boys.
The first major drop in cycling occurs at ages 15 to 16, essentially the moment teenagers enter upper secondary school, when responsibilities increase and commuting distances tend to grow. The second key turning point is at age 18, when young people become eligible to obtain a driving license. The study found that students in vocational training were more likely to abandon cycling than those attending academic secondary schools. The reason? Vocational students often receive wages during their training, giving them the financial means to purchase a scooter or a car earlier. Another important factor is the place of residence: teenagers living in central urban areas use bikes as a means of transport more frequently than their peers from suburban or outlying districts.
Age itself also plays an important role. While almost all children learn to ride a bike – and initially see it primarily as a toy – this interest fades as they grow older. According to the Yverdon survey, at age 13, only 18.8% of respondents did not have a functional bicycle. By age 20, that number had risen to 39.7%, meaning well over a third.
How to bring young people back to cycling
What can be done? The authors of the Yverdon study suggest that cycling lessons offered in schools could help young people maintain the habit. They also discuss the idea of subsidies for purchasing bicycles or awareness campaigns aimed at reducing negative stereotypes about cycling. The study reiterates long-standing recommendations such as improving the safety of bike routes, allowing bicycles on public transport (still not possible everywhere), and ensuring safer bicycle parking at schools. The findings also highlight the role of parents: in households where cycling is common, children tend to adopt the same habits.