Elsevier

Applied Ergonomics

Volume 24, Issue 2, April 1993, Pages 109-118
Applied Ergonomics

Recommendations for the assessment and design of young children's bicycles on the basis of anthropometric data

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(93)90082-KGet rights and content

Abstract

Children's bicycles are the product most often involved in leisure accidents to children. One of the possible reasons for this might be a lack of fit between the dimensions of the bicycle and the dimensions of the child. In a project entitled KIMA-1, some 33 dimensions of 279 children (aged 2.5–5.5 years) were measured at seven infant welfare centres in the province of Zuid, Holland. These data were used to compare dimensions of children with dimensions of bicycles. Furthermore, the requirements regarding bicycle dimensions laid down in product safety acts of different countries were compared with both the results of KIMA-1 and some bicycles available in shops. It is concluded that maximum product safety and comfort of the bicycle are achieved when the bicycle is fitted to the dimensions of the child. Enhancement of this fitting process can be achieved by relating the dimensions of the bicycle to the stature rather than to the age of the child. The comparison of the KIMA-1 data to the dimensions laid down in product safety acts led to the conclusion that Dutch children are larger than the population on which the safety dimensions are based. Furthermore, secular changes in body dimensions call for a revision of the relevant safety dimensions in 10–15 years.

References (22)

  • (1988)
  • J.F.M. Molenbroek

    Anthropometry for wheelchair users

  • M.B. Mellion

    Common cycling injuries: management and prevention

    Sports Med

    (1991)
  • Ongevallen met kinderfietsen 0–5 jaar

    (1989)
  • S. Pheasant

    Bodyspace: Anthropometry, ergonomics and design

    (1986)
  • P. Koopman

    Maten van baby's en peuters, 0–4 jaar

  • R. van der Plas

    Fietsboek

  • DIN 79110: Kinderfahrräder, Begriffe, Sicherheits-technische Anförderungen Prüfungen

    (1980)
  • & Stichting Vergelijkend Warenonderzoek ANWB

    Kinderfietsen halen behoorlijke cijfers

    Consumentengids

    (June 1989)
  • Speelgoedbesluit Warenwet Uitvoeringsvoorschriften

    (1985)
  • Cited by (11)

    • Predicting bicycle setup for children based on anthropometrics and comfort

      2017, Applied Ergonomics
      Citation Excerpt :

      To the best of our knowledge, only two studies have investigated bicycle setup in children: Donkers et al. (1993) measured the anthropometric dimensions of 279 children to assess whether existing bicycles at the time complied with corresponding safety standards. Whilst the importance of the relationship between anthropometrics and the dimensions of the bicycle is acknowledged, the authors make assumptions about this relationship without explicitly verifying them.

    • Ergonomic evaluation and redesign of children bicycles based on anthropometric data

      2010, Applied Ergonomics
      Citation Excerpt :

      All aforementioned studies were conducted on or consider adults who, as it can be reasonably argued, ride bicycles differently from children or teenagers. In their study, Donkers et al. focused specifically on bicycles for relatively young children and assessed their design and dimensions in terms of fit to the Dutch children population and the associated safety regulations (Donkers et al., 1993). According to their findings designers should relate the bicycle dimensions to stature and not the age of the child.

    • Comparative Analysis of Male Cyclist Population in Four Asia Countries for Anthropometric Measurements

      2022, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text