Crossword Genius

Little cycling seen in shopping centres (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

malls

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'shopping centres' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'little cycling seen in' is the wordplay.
'little' becomes 'l' (abbreviation).
'cycling' says the letters should be written in reverse (letters cycle back).
'seen' becomes 'slam' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'slam' reversed gives 'mals'.
'l' inserted inside 'mals' is 'MALLS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for malls that I've seen is " walks".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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