Cycling races separated from traffic should teach children about traffic safety
DR-Inland in Denmark
Saturday, May 31, 2025 • 12:49 PM UTC - in Denmark
Bike Race Shielded from Traffic to Teach Children about Traffic Safety
The children's bike race 'Kids Tour', which can be experienced throughout the country, is making its debut in Sønderborg.
Aicha Schjødt Touray with her bike, who finished in the Kids Tour. (Photo: © Bodil Schjødt Touray) 1 min. ago
In Sønderborg, there has been a surge of young cyclists today. Perhaps one was even lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a future cycling star. The children's bike race Kids Tour has come to the city for the first time.
> I always cycle with a helmet on, because my kids mirror what I do.
> Bodil Schjødt Touray.
To the race, children aged 3-10 can sit on the saddle and cycle the 1 kilometer long course one or more times.
The Bicycle Accident Foundation and Sønderborg Municipality are behind the race, but it can also be experienced in other municipalities throughout the country.
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Kids Tour visits these cities this year
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Haderslev on April 26
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Vallensbæk on May 4
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Varde on May 10
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Grindsted on May 17
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Køge on May 24
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Sønderborg on May 31
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Rødovre on June 7
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Frederiksberg on June 14
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Esbjerg on June 15
*
Odense on June 21
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Skibby on August 16
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Vanløse on August 23
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Herning on August 30
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Gladsaxe on September 6
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Hvidovre on September 13
Source: Bicycle Accident Foundation
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Not Just Fun and Jokes
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The race is not just for fun. The Bicycle Accident Foundation works to reduce the number of child traffic accidents, and therefore there is also a focus on traffic safety throughout the day.
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Number of Cycling Accidents Annually
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Cycling accidents account for 48% of all traffic accidents in Denmark with over 20,000 emergency room visits per year.
Source: health.dk ( https://www.sundhed.dk/borger/patienthaandbogen/akutte-sygdomme/sygdomme/idraet-og-fysisk-aktivitet/sikkerhed-paa-cyklen/ )
The children can learn to take a bike driving test or get into a shopping cart and see the blind spots, so they know where to position themselves in traffic to be seen. Although the route is closed off from traffic, they will still be able to learn something about traffic safety.
- There are still some who come out wrong in traffic, so traffic safety is also in focus today, says Henriette Madsen, general secretary of the Bicycle Accident Foundation.
One cannot participate in Kids Tour without a helmet.
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Cyclist Aicha
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One of those who has control of the helmet is 9-year-old Aicha Schjødt Touray. She is one of today's cyclists and has also previously participated in the children's bike race BørneTour when it was held in Sønderborg.
* For the children's bike race BørneTour, Aicha Schjødt Touray received a medal for her participation. (Photo: © Bodil Schjødt Touray)
* BørneTour was in Sønderborg in May 2022. (Photo: © Bodil Schjødt Touray)
1 / 2 For the children's bike race BørneTour, Aicha Schjødt Touray received a medal for her participation. (Photo: © Bodil Schjødt Touray) 1 / 2 BørneTour was in Sønderborg in May 2022. (Photo: © Bodil Schjødt Touray) 2 / 2
She is in good shape, as she cycles every day to and from Sønderskov-school in Sønderborg.
And in school, the bike has also been on the schedule, says Aicha Schjødt Touray.
- We have talked about bikes, where things are placed and what is important, she says.
> There are still some who come out wrong in traffic, so traffic safety is also in focus today.
> Henriette Madsen, General Secretary of the Bicycle Accident Foundation.
When it comes to traffic safety, it is important for Bodil Schjødt Touray, Aicha Schjødt Touray's mother, to be a good role model for her child.
- I always cycle with a helmet on, because my kids mirror what I do, she says. And otherwise, her 9-year-old daughter is ready with a raised index finger.
- So I say: "Remember your helmet, mom", says Aicha Schjødt Touray and gets them both to laugh.
Last year, 4,295 cyclists participated, distributed over 13 locations across the country.
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