Just another brick in the way – Analysis of secondary school children's requirements on cycling activities & infrastructure with the Kano method

Cycling is widely recognised as a sustainable and health-promoting mode of transportation, yet children encounter distinct challenges that limit their ability to cycle safely and regularly. This study investigates secondary school children’s requirements and preferences for cycling activities and infrastructure, categorising the features that most effectively enhance motivation and safety for this age group. A survey was conducted with 270 pupils (10-14 years old), employing the Kano method to classify various infrastructural and non-infrastructural features according to their impact on user satisfaction. The results show that clean and smooth bike paths are considered highly attractive to pupils and have a strong impact on satisfaction when present, but also on dissatisfaction when absent. Green waves for cyclists, continuous bike paths, and cycling to school together with friends can further enhance satisfaction when given, but have a limited effect on dissatisfaction if not present. Furthermore, the analysis revealed notable differences in feature evaluation based on age, gender, and cycling frequency, underscoring the need for tailored approaches in designing child-friendly cycling environments. The findings offer valuable guidance for urban planning and infrastructure development by presenting a list of relevant features that address the diverse needs and preferences of young cyclists. These features can serve as essential requirements ("must-be" elements) for communities beginning to promote cycling among children, as well as desirable enhancements ("add-ons") for municipalities aiming to further increase cycling rates among young people. • Survey of 236 secondary school pupils (10-14) using the Kano method • Clean and smooth bike paths are performance features, making cycling more appealing • Wide bike lanes, green wave, cycling with friends can enhance satisfaction, but are not foundational • Girls prioritise safety and convenience features more than boys • Priority list provided depending on existing cycling environment of communities