www.bikebiz.com/news/29519/Lets-get-kids-back-on-bikes-urges-Cycling-England
Striking new evidence of a generational decline in cycling has been
revealed by Cycling England. A study - which coincides with the launch
of Bike to School Week (6-9 May) - reveals that parents are clamping
down on the freedoms they took for granted as children, limiting when,
where and how their children cycle.
The most common age at which parents were able to cycle on the roads
was 10. Today it has gone up to 12, almost at the onset of the teenage
years.
One in three parents (35 percent) were allowed to cycle to school, but
today, only one in five (18 percent) allow their children to do so.
Just 4 percent of children cycle to school regularly.
Parents are no longer giving their children the run of local roads. 81
percent of parents ban their children from cycling independently, or
limit their children's cycling to such a degree that Britain is seeing
an emerging breed of "Cul-de-sac Kids" – children restricted to
cycling circuits of their immediate road or neighbourhood streets.
When asked what would make them feel more reassured about their child
cycling without adult supervision on the roads, the most popular
measure was cycle training (52 percent). And two-thirds (64 percenbt)
of parents felt that their child did not have the confidence and
skills to ride on the road. The biggest reason as to why parents did
not let their child cycle was safety (36 percent) yet just 3 percent
said they knew someone who'd had an accident.
This fear has resulted in over a quarter of children (29 percent) only
allowed to cycle with adult supervision. While three quarters (75
percent) of children are allowed to cycle for recreation at the
weekend or after school, only one in five (19 percent) are allowed to
use their bicycle as a way of getting from A to B during the week.
Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, said: "This research
underlines the important role of cycling training in giving children
the skills and confidence they need to cycle on the roads - and in
giving parents the reassurance that their child is well equipped to do
so.
"Concern about safety is understandable, but we need to remember that
on-road accidents are in long term decline. Every parent will want to
ensure their children are kept safe, but they can't live out their
lives within the shadows of the cul-de-sac, never able to venture
further away from home.
This is particularly important, as we know that cycling to school, to
friends, or just as a fun activity in its own right, can play a hugely
positive role in the development of a child's independence. I urge
schools to come forward and offer Bikeability training as part of the
push to get children cycling."
To help promote the benefits of children cycling more often, Cycling
England has recruited a nationwide 'Mums Panel' that uses parent power
to promote the benefits of cycling and encourage take up of
Bikeability – the new cycling proficiency scheme for the 21st century.
Mums Panellist Emma Calloway, from Bristol, said:
"Completing Bikeability training as a parent not only gave me a
confidence that I can pass onto my children, but also reinforced the
notion that bikes have the same right to be on the roads as other
vehicles.
"Since my children started cycling to school they have benefited in
all sorts of ways – they are healthier, more alert and more
confident."
Children, Schools and Families Minister, Kevin Brennan, said:
"Cycling to school is a great way for children to keep fit and develop
their independence. 'Bike to School Week' is a really good way of
encouraging children and their parents to get on their bikes, and
develop a habit that promotes health and fitness for life. Staying
safe while cycling is also very important and that is why I'm
delighted to support the Bikeability cycling proficiency test to give
the next generation the skills and confidence to ride their bikes on
today's roads."
The research report was conducted online for Cycling England by
Populus, who interviewed a random sample of 1,079 parents, whose
children had bikes and were aged between 7 and 15.