News
Let's get kids back on bikes, urges Cycling England
Carlton Reid May 6 2008, 12:01am
A "generational decline in cycling" needs to be reversed, says Cycling England at start of Bike to School Week
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 perceny 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.
Comments
“Cycle training v decline in cycling”
Posted by: Tonyt - May 6, 8:39am
I run training courses on a regular basis and am presently struggling to keep up with the volume of enquiries for children aged 10-12.
If the survey [Populus/Cycling England] shows parents main concern is lack of training then why are so few parents putting their kids on the schools' cycle training prgrammes?
Also, for those that really need the training, let's get morre help to convince schools that this Life Skill must be part of the school curriculum and not after-school activity as is so often the case?
“Re: Cycle training v decline in cycling”
Posted by: WendyC - May 6, 9:51am
I would concur with Tony, only when schools do not put cycling back on the agenda either during school hours or as an after school activity, parents approach me directly and we set up courses all over the place, with me going to them so that they then are cycling on their own territory where they will cycle once I've gone.
“Re: Cycle training v decline in cycling”
Posted by: DocB - May 6, 11:43am
There are two primary schools in our town. Both can only approached on a bike by cycling on narrow town roads, lined with parked cars and carrying almost continuous traffic with everything from inattentive car drivers to buses and HGVs.
No matter how well trained, it is just plain daft to expect a 10 year old to cycle to either of these two schools without putting themselves at an unacceptable risk. I suspect this situation is the norm rather than the exception.
Things will not change until the real job, that is separating bikes from traffic, is tackled in a comprehensive rather than a half hearted manner.
“Re: Cycle training v decline in cycling”
Posted by: bernie - May 6, 12:22pm
In my experience as parent, cylist mechanic and project manager of a bike re-cycling scheme. the issues are not as simple as the fact that parents are justifiably terrified of their kids cycling on the roads.
recently my daughter and a friend were scared out of their wits by a road rage driver, coming up behind them and and honking his horn loudly; they were not moving quickly enough throught the yellow box at a notoriously difficult junction. I rang the police with his registration.
their response : two weeks later hoards of bobbies at the junction taking the names of all the children cycling on the footpath as they poured out of school.
there is no sense, no clarity and no joined up thinking in the approach to encouraging children to cycle.
We about to start some 'fix a Flat' workshops: most young people we speak to cannot repair a puncture and are not aware that they could take a bike on the train to go further afield. There are a whole raft of measures that need to be put in place to turn around the trend in kids who ride but never explore. In particuclar girls who stop cycling at 13 throughout europe for complex reasons.
I would like to be part of the movement to change this round and we are willing.......... so lets see Cycling England make some funds available to the people on the ground who are ready and willing to tackle the problem.
we need separate girls and boys bike maintenance classes, in and out of school
guided and supported rides for groups of kids and for families
womens bike maintenance classes
out and about trips for kids to explore the area with picnics,
on trains, and cycle paths
we need dedicated cycle taxi rescue service for kids who explore and breakdown
great, easy to follow maps aimed at young people. with a choice of rides and jumps, cafes etc marked on.
better stop now......... off the soap box.....
“Re: Re: Cycle training v decline in cycling”
Posted by: Liggers - Aug 14, 3:33pm
I agree with DocB that money should currently be directed towards cycle lanes (and public transport) rather than cycle 'training'. I and some of my friends are excellent cyclists but never had any 'training'. We learned thro practice and awareness. Some roads are just simply not yet safe for cyclists.