Developmental aspects of children's behavior and safety while cycling.

Objective: To examine children's competence while cycling, as demonstrated in mistakes in performance and failure to comply with safety rules.

Methods: Children in three age groups (8, 10, and 12 years) participated in a realistic yet simulated traffic environment.

Results: The boys' cycling speed increased steadily with age, while that of the girls increased from 8 to 10 but decreased at age 12.