With the new school year about to begin, the Wallonian Road Safety Agency (AWSR) has emphasised the importance of children wearing high-visibility vests and helmets when cycling to school.
Each year, approximately 40 children aged 6 to 11 and over 120 teenagers aged 12 to 17 in Wallonia are victims (either killed or injured) of cycling accidents, AWSR reports. The data, based on 2019-2023 figures, shows that the majority of these accidents (over 80%) occur in built-up areas.
A recent agency survey revealed that nearly half (48%) of Wallonia cyclists do not consistently wear helmets. However, helmets are particularly effective in the event of a head fall, reducing the risk of severe injuries by 65%.
Helmet use is even more critical for children given their vulnerability and lack of experience, which can lead to unpredictable and riskier behaviours, AWSR emphasises. Introducing helmet-wearing from a young age can instil this critical safety habit for the long term.
The agency also strongly recommends the regular use of high-visibility vests, even during daylight. This equipment allows cyclists or pedestrians to be seen from a distance of 150 metres in car headlights, seven times further than with dark clothing.
Additionally, AWSR underscores the importance of having a child-friendly backpack suitable for cycling, choosing the safest route rather than the shortest, coaching children on road safety, and waiting until a child is at least ten years old before allowing them to navigate traffic on their own.
