Investigations show that the risk of children to undergo an accident with their bicycle is a major problem for safety in traffic. The question arises at which age children attain a sufficient skill in balancing a bicycle to master traffic situations. To quantify the ability of bicycle control, frame-, handlebar- and crank-movement as well as speed and deviation from an ideal-line were measured. Measurements were carried out under standardized conditions on a hometrainer-roller. 240 male and female children from 7 to 14 years took part in this investigation, 120 lived in the country, 120 lived in a town. The specific balance-stabilization on the bicycle depends on the age of the subjects. The children from the country show a significantly better specific balance compared to the children from the town. The children from the country are approximately two years ahead. The specific balance-stabilization on the bicycle is dependent on the current amount of training and is not finished with the acquisition of the ability to ride a bicycle. The legal rule not to use the sidewalk with the bicycle for children older than 10 years appears to be too general.
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