A new study led by Amir Ghanbari, a PhD student in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health, offers insights into the safety of cycling routes used by students commuting to school. As active transportation to school continues to decline nationwide, this research highlights how environmental, social, and technological factors influence route safety and student behavior.

The study, published in the Journal of Safety Research, analyzed GPS and helmet camera data from 32 adolescents aged 10–15 and their parents, capturing real-world cycling patterns and comparing student-chosen routes with those suggested by popular navigation apps, including Google Maps and Komoot.

“Biking and walking provide major health, academic, and social benefits, but safety concerns continue to discourage families, Ghanbari says. “Our goal was to understand the routes adolescents choose when biking to school, the safety of those routes, and to use that knowledge to help parents and students feel more confident.”

Key findings include:

• Younger students and those living in bike-friendly neighborhoods tended to choose safer routes.
• Students frequently rode on sidewalks when navigating less safe areas, likely to avoid traffic.
• Routes suggested by Komoot and those self-selected by students were safer than those recommended by Google Maps.

Using a safety scoring system based on traffic conditions, environmental features, and route geometry—analyzed through Linear Mixed Models (LMM)—the study found that both parental guidance and infrastructure quality significantly influence safe cycling habits.

“We were somewhat surprised that Google Maps, despite being the most widely known navigation app, did not consistently suggest the safest routes,” Ghanbari noted.

“Sidewalks, which many assume to be safer, might actually present hidden risks at driveways and intersections,” he says. “In fact, our data and past research show that sidewalks can be riskier compared to riding on streets with proper bike facilities.”

The study underscores the need for improved bike infrastructure and smarter navigation tools that prioritize safety over efficiency. It also calls for greater involvement from schools, parents, and city planners.

“Schools can play a role by incorporating bike safety education and helping families become aware of safer routes,” said Ghanbari. “Parents are especially important since their guidance and monitoring may steer children toward safer paths. City planners can make the greatest long-term impact by building and maintaining protected bike lanes, improving intersections, and calming traffic around schools.”

The study emphasizes that by creating safer environments and promoting informed route planning, communities can play a vital role in reversing the decline in active transportation among students, encouraging healthier and more sustainable lifestyles.

Cara Hamann from the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Steven Spears from the UI School of Planning and Public Affairs were the co-principal investigators of this study, with Joseph Cavanaugh and Beyza Cikmaz serving as co-authors.