Pedaling towards autonomy: a multidisciplinary exploration on children's independent cycling mobility

Children’s autonomous cycling, understood as the ability to travel independently by bicycle, is increasingly constrained by car-oriented planning and socio-cultural norms that emphasise supervision and risk aversion. Although active travel has been widely studied, the behavioural and developmental determinants of children’s cycling autonomy remain fragmented and underexamined. This narrative review synthesises cross-disciplinary evidence using a socio-ecological perspective informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). The TDF enables an integrated analysis of capability, opportunity and motivation, revealing four interrelated domains shaping children’s independent cycling: (1) personal and interpersonal influences, (2) the built environment, (3) broader societal norms, and (4) essential preconditions such as cycling skills and bicycle access. The resulting conceptual model brings together developmental, material, social and discursive factors, offering a more mechanistic understanding than existing CIM frameworks. For transport researchers, it highlights new leverage points; reshaping norms, aligning infrastructure with children’s developmental capacities, and incorporating children’s perspectives into mobility policy. The review thus supports more inclusive and equitable transport systems by positioning children as legitimate actors within urban mobility.