Safety concerns keep kids off their bikes

At a time when parents are being urged to do everything in their power to get their kids to be healthy and active, it seems that some forms of exercise, like cycling, are out of favour. A report published today finds that more than eight out of ten parents only let their children cycle either with them or on the street where they live. Just one in five children use their bicycles to get around with at the weekend. And just one child in 25 regularly cycles to school.

The survey of 1000 parents was carried out by campaign group Cycling England. It seems that worries over safety on the road is leading parents to keep their kids off their bikes – although just three parents in 100 actually know of a child that's been hurt in a cycling accident.

Phillip Darnton, Cycle England's chairman, said: 'Every parent will want to ensure their children are kept safe but they cannot live out their lives within the shadows of the cul-de-sac, never able to venture father 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.'

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