Validation of the need satisfaction in cycling to and from school scale among students from Germany

According to Germany’s 2022 Report Card, the prevalence of overall physical activity among children and adolescents is poor (D-). Cycling to/from school is one possibility among others to increase physical activity. We developed an intervention based on the self-determination theory in previous research to promote a more self-determined form of motivation among students. To establish a robust measurement instrument, this study aimed to validate the German need satisfaction in cycling to/from school scale in terms of construct and criterion validity and reliability, and examine gender differences regarding the mean satisfaction of needs. In 2021, 239 students (46.9 % girls, 51.9 % boys, 1.3 % diverse) aged between 10 and 17 attending an intermediate or high educational level in Southern Germany participated in this study. Global model fit, measurement model invariance tests across gender, and internal consistency were good. Convergent validity was established; however, discriminant validity was doubtful. Concurrent criterion validity was shown by the correlation between mean satisfaction of needs and mean intrinsic motivation and an increased likelihood of cycling to school through the mean satisfaction of needs. We concluded that our study provides a valid and reliable scale to measure the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in cycling to/from school, but only if item 10 within the autonomy subscale is removed. •A scale is provided to measure the need satisfaction in cycling to and from school.•Item 10 within the autonomy subscale should be removed.•Boys compared to girls have a higher satisfaction of competence and autonomy.•Need satisfaction and intrinsic motivation/frequency of cycling to school correlate.•Need satisfaction and occurrence of cycling to school are positively associated.