A safer start for children
A new study has examined the possible effect on infants of travelling in prams and cargo bikes over different road surfaces. Researchers looked at the levels of vibration experienced by very young children and the various factors that affected them.
They used dummies to represent newborn babies as well as three and nine-month-olds and tested five prams and two cargo bikes on six different road surfaces. The study compared the measurements with ISO 2631-1, the standard concerned with evaluating human exposure to whole-body vibration.
Researchers said they had recorded “vibrations that would not be permitted for adults to maintain long-term occupational health” and urged designers and manufacturers to give more consideration to the problem.
The article, published in the journal Ergonomics, also recommended limiting the amount of time buggies and cargo bikes are used on rough surfaces while carrying infants. It said: “The results raise concerns about transporting infants in strollers and cargo bicycles. If the user’s behaviour is not adjusted to avoid rough surfaces or to travel slowly over them when transporting an infant, there are potential health risks and discomfort from daily and repeated exposure to large vibrations over a long time.
“However, there is no direct evidence that connects whole-body vibration as measured in this study to infant harm or negative health effects and discomfort, thus we can only extrapolate from the limited guidelines on adults in occupational settings.”
Other recommendations included the development of new testing procedures and better suspension systems, as well as smoother surfaces on new cycling routes and pavements.
