Dell'Orto Aims to Make Cycling Safer for Children
Transporting children by bike is often seen as a sustainable and healthy way to travel. But how are young children affected by the vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces? This is the question KTH researcher Gabriele Dell'Orto is seeking to answer. Measurements show that vibration levels on certain surfaces can exceed the threshold values used for adults, while there are currently no corresponding guidelines for children's exposure. The aim is to generate knowledge that can contribute to safer products and safer travel for the youngest passengers.
"It is quite remarkable that, even in 2026, we still lack regulations and standards for vibrations transmitted to infants and children," says Gabriele Dell'Orto, Research Engineer at the Division of Vehicle Engineering and Acoustics at KTH and a member of
Malte Rothhämel
's research group.
Today, extensive regulations and standards exist to assess how vibrations affect adults in occupational settings, such as people working with machinery, trains, or other vehicles. However, there are no equivalent guidelines for infants and young children.
Measuring vibrations in bicycle trailers
Dell'Orto's research focuses on the vibrations children are exposed to when travelling in bicycle trailers, cargo bikes, and strollers. Since there are no established methods for assessing the risks, the research starts from the ground up by measuring and documenting the vibrations themselves.
As part of the project, researchers have equipped bicycle trailers with sensors that record accelerations and vibration levels under different conditions. Tests have been conducted both in controlled environments and on different types of road surfaces.
"First, we have to show that the problem exists. Then we can start discussing solutions and developing methods to assess the safety of these products," he points out.
The results indicate that vibrations on certain surfaces can reach levels that exceed the thresholds currently used for adults.
"When riding over cobblestones or other uneven surfaces, we can often see vibration levels that exceed the thresholds established for adults. That does not automatically mean they are dangerous for children, but it shows that the issue deserves further investigation."
A knowledge gap in research
Knowledge about how vibrations affect children's development remains limited. One challenge is that infants cannot describe their comfort levels or any potential discomfort themselves.
Researchers therefore rely on objective measurement methods and compare the results with the standards currently available for adults.
"It is not certain that adult thresholds can be directly transferred to children. On the contrary, there are reasons to believe that children may be more sensitive. But at the moment, this is the only reference point we have," he explains.
In the long term, Dell'Orto hopes the research will contribute to new standards and guidelines for products used to transport children.
Working with industry
The project is being carried out in collaboration with manufacturers of bicycle trailers, who have provided products for testing. The next step is to analyse the results together with industry partners and explore how existing designs can be improved.
One possible solution is improved suspension systems that reduce vibrations before they reach the child.
"We already know that suspension and damping systems work in vehicles such as cars. The challenge is to find solutions that can be applied to bicycle trailers without making them too heavy, too large, or too expensive."
The researchers also plan to develop mathematical models to simulate how different designs affect vibration levels. This could provide manufacturers with a valuable tool for developing safer products.
Potential implications for urban planning
The research is not only relevant for product development. The findings could also influence how future cycling infrastructure is designed.
Uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and tiled cycle paths generate significantly more vibrations than smooth asphalt. As a result, the findings may be relevant for urban planners and policymakers as well.
"If we want more people to choose cycling as a mode of transport, we also need to consider the comfort and safety of the youngest passengers," he explains.
Promoting cycling, not discouraging it
Dell'Orto points out that the aim is not to discourage parents from using bicycle trailers or cargo bikes.
"On the contrary. I am a cyclist myself, and I want to promote sustainable mobility. The goal is to make these transport solutions better and safer, not to discourage people from using them."
He believes the issue will become increasingly important as cycling and sustainable transport continue to grow in popularity.
"If the number of children being transported in bicycle trailers and cargo bikes continues to increase, we need to understand what effects vibrations may have and how we can reduce them. In this way, we can create safer and more sustainable transport solutions for the future."
Research is still in its early stages
Although the results so far suggest that this is an important issue to investigate, Dell'Orto emphasises that the research field is still relatively new.
"We are still at the beginning. There are other papers and researchers who have worked on the topic, but mostly isolated studies, perhaps a master's thesis or a single paper. As far as I know, there are no continuous research projects with people dedicated specifically to this topic."
The current project has primarily focused on collecting data and building a better understanding of the scale of the problem. The next phase will involve developing models, conducting deeper analyses, and exploring how products can be improved to reduce vibration exposure.
"To develop recommendations, standards, and improved designs, we need more research and more studies. This is work that will take years rather than months."
Looking for partners for future research
Dell'Orto now hopes to continue developing the research together with new partners from academia, industry, and the public sector.
"This issue concerns many stakeholders, from manufacturers and researchers to urban planners and policymakers. To truly understand the problem and identify solutions, we need to build broad collaborations," he adds.
He sees particular opportunities for collaboration with companies developing bicycle trailers, strollers, and cargo bikes, as well as with municipalities, government agencies, and research groups working in areas such as medicine, ergonomics, and child development.
"The goal is to create a scientific foundation that can contribute to safer products and better guidelines in the future. If more stakeholders become involved, we can achieve results more quickly and increase the overall impact of the research."
Text and photos: Jelina Khoo