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Article

Nudging Safety in Elementary School Zones: A Pilot Study on a Road Sticker Intervention to Enhance Children’s Dismounting Behavior at Zebra Crossings

1
UHasselt–Hasselt University, School of Transportation Sciences, Transportation Research Institute (IMOB), Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
2
FARESA, Evidence-Based Psychological Centre, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Safety 2025, 11(3), 76; https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030076 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 April 2025 / Revised: 18 July 2025 / Accepted: 21 July 2025 / Published: 4 August 2025

Abstract

In this pilot study, the crossing behavior of elementary school students commuting on bicycles was investigated with the objective of enhancing safety around pedestrian crossings within school zones. With a noticeable increase in crashes involving young cyclists near schools, this research assessed the effectiveness of visual nudges in the form of red strips displaying “CYCLISTS DISMOUNT” instructions. Initial observations indicated a lack of compliance with dismounting regulations. After the initial observations, a specific elementary school was selected for the implementation of the nudging intervention and additional pre- (N = 91) and post-intervention (N = 71) observations. The pre-intervention observations again revealed poor adherence to the regulations requiring cyclists to dismount at specific points. Following our targeted intervention, the post-intervention observations marked an improvement in compliance. Indeed, the visual nudge effectively communicated the necessity of dismounting at a critical location, leading to a higher rate of adherence among cyclists (52.74% pre-intervention, 97.18% post-intervention). Although it also indirectly affected the behavior of the accompanying adult, who more often held hands with their children while crossing, this effect was weaker than the direct effect on dismounting behavior (20.88% pre-intervention, 39.44% post-intervention). The findings of the current pilot study underscore the possible impact of nudging on behavior and advocate for a combined approach utilizing physical nudges to bolster safety within school zones. Follow-up research, including, for instance, multiple sites, long-term effects, or children traveling alone, is called for.
Keywords: cyclists; zebra crossing; dismounting; safety; nudging cyclists; zebra crossing; dismounting; safety; nudging

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Ross, V.; Brijs, K.; Vanassen, D.; Janssens, D. Nudging Safety in Elementary School Zones: A Pilot Study on a Road Sticker Intervention to Enhance Children’s Dismounting Behavior at Zebra Crossings. Safety 2025, 11, 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030076

AMA Style

Ross V, Brijs K, Vanassen D, Janssens D. Nudging Safety in Elementary School Zones: A Pilot Study on a Road Sticker Intervention to Enhance Children’s Dismounting Behavior at Zebra Crossings. Safety. 2025; 11(3):76. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030076

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ross, Veerle, Kris Brijs, Dries Vanassen, and Davy Janssens. 2025. "Nudging Safety in Elementary School Zones: A Pilot Study on a Road Sticker Intervention to Enhance Children’s Dismounting Behavior at Zebra Crossings" Safety 11, no. 3: 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030076

APA Style

Ross, V., Brijs, K., Vanassen, D., & Janssens, D. (2025). Nudging Safety in Elementary School Zones: A Pilot Study on a Road Sticker Intervention to Enhance Children’s Dismounting Behavior at Zebra Crossings. Safety, 11(3), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety11030076

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