Parents told to let children cycle
Parents are to be asked to shake off their fears about letting their children cycle to school and actively encourage them to do so.
A Scottish Executive initiative claims primary school pupils want to cycle to school on their own but parents' concerns are stopping them.
A major national advertising campaign will try to encourage parents to stop driving their children to school.
Despite the fact 90% of youngsters have bikes and more than 30% of them would like to cycle to school, only 1% actually do. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of cycle training offered in the majority of primary schools.
In Scotland, cycling is the first choice of physical activity for girls between eight and 15 and second for boys behind football. Unlike most sports, people who cycle during their childhood are more likely to continue into adulthood.
European statistics show countries with the highest cycle use also have the lowest obesity figures. Current figures suggest one in four Scots are at risk of dying early from diseases related to inactivity, yet only 2% of journeys are by bicycle.
Cycling Scotland, which is core funded by the Scottish Executive, believes parents who drive their children to school risk creating a habit of dependency that undermines children's confidence and self-reliance. It says cycling to school, after appropriate training, helps children develop road sense, assess risk and think for themselves.
Jim Riach, education and training manager at Cycling Scotland, admitted there were "challenges" to be overcome in changing attitudes.
He said he could understand the reluctance of parents to let children as young as
10 cycle on their own to school, particularly in cities and towns.
"Getting kids out and about on their bikes more is crucial to safeguard the future health of our nation," said Mr Riach. "More than this, we believe it is an essential part of childhood. I'm sure most adults have very fond memories of their first bike and the sense of freedom and adventure that came with it.
"It's a great shame children are being denied the opportunity to experience this independence because parents are worried about their safety on the roads. The cycle training available in primary schools helps children not only to cycle more confidently but also to develop road sense that will serve them as pedestrians and as future road users."
Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, is supporting the campaign and is working with the Scottish Executive, providing information, training and advice, to make sure children can get to school safely and keep their bikes safe at school. It is also providing funding for cycle parking at schools and developing more safe routes.
Community Can Cycle, the Castlemilk-based bike and can recycling initiative, said it welcomed the plan to get more children cycling to school.
Jim O'Donnell of the project, which provides free bike repairs for low-income families, said: "We will be having an education centre in place to which children from all over Glasgow will come to learn about the benefits of cycling. Any attempt to encourage children to cycle to school has to be welcomed."
www.cyclingscotland.org.uk
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Posted by: Boyd Johnston, Paisley on 9:44am Fri 9 Mar 07
It's time the government did much more to encourage cycling, and not just the children - though that is a good place to start. Lower speed limits in towns and an education campaign to make sure that cyclists know the rules of the road and drivers give cyclists the room and respect that they need.
Every bike on the road is one less car adding to the congestion and pollution.
It's time the government did much more to encourage cycling, and not just the children - though that is a good place to start. Lower speed limits in towns and an education campaign to make sure that cyclists know the rules of the road and drivers give cyclists the room and respect that they need.
Every bike on the road is one less car adding to the congestion and pollution.
Posted by: gordon beith, beith on 10:05am Fri 9 Mar 07
It is clear from the lack of consideration displayed on a day-to-day basis that the vast majority of car & lorry drivers have never experienced being on the public roads on a pedal cycle, and consequently have no idea of the road etiquette appropriate when passing a pedal cyclist. Add to this the state of our roads, potholes, poor surfaces etc.
Accordingly, I would not encourage my children to cycle to school.
It is clear from the lack of consideration displayed on a day-to-day basis that the vast majority of car & lorry drivers have never experienced being on the public roads on a pedal cycle, and consequently have no idea of the road etiquette appropriate when passing a pedal cyclist. Add to this the state of our roads, potholes, poor surfaces etc.
Accordingly, I would not encourage my children to cycle to school.
Posted by: Jack Frost, Edinburgh on 1:35pm Fri 9 Mar 07
The reason other european countries have a higher cycle use is a direct indication of their prevailing social attitudes - which unfortunately the UK clearly does not share.
The government and local councils in this country talk a great game on sustainable transport, but only because they need to be seen to do so. All the money goes into providing for motorised transport, because that's where the votes are. Barely a token gesture is made for multi-modal infrastructure. Shame on them - it is a national disgrace, and not one they can continue to talk their way out of.
The reason other european countries have a higher cycle use is a direct indication of their prevailing social attitudes - which unfortunately the UK clearly does not share.
The government and local councils in this country talk a great game on sustainable transport, but only because they need to be seen to do so. All the money goes into providing for motorised transport, because that's where the votes are. Barely a token gesture is made for multi-modal infrastructure. Shame on them - it is a national disgrace, and not one they can continue to talk their way out of.
Posted by: Mairi Jo Mulholland, Castle Douglas on 1:43pm Fri 9 Mar 07
The reckless speed of vehicles travelling in our small town is downright frightening and unpleasant.My children will not be cycling on our roads until the powers that be recognise this problem.Parents are not being over cautious in this issue.I say reduce the speed limit in towns and cities to 20mph and install as many speed bumps as necessary to make cycling and walking a safer and more pleasant option.
The reckless speed of vehicles travelling in our small town is downright frightening and unpleasant.My children will not be cycling on our roads until the powers that be recognise this problem.Parents are not being over cautious in this issue.I say reduce the speed limit in towns and cities to 20mph and install as many speed bumps as necessary to make cycling and walking a safer and more pleasant option.
Posted by: fred, Scotland on 3:05pm Fri 9 Mar 07
Cycling is more common in other nations, particuarly the Netherlands, but then I can't be the only person to have noticed that the Netherlan's is as flat as a pancake.
My children could indeed cycle down the hill to school. Cycling back up it on the other hand is quite an effort, I overtake a gentleman cycling up it every morning, on foot.
Cycling is more common in other nations, particuarly the Netherlands, but then I can't be the only person to have noticed that the Netherlan's is as flat as a pancake.
My children could indeed cycle down the hill to school. Cycling back up it on the other hand is quite an effort, I overtake a gentleman cycling up it every morning, on foot.
Posted by: Rosemary Burnett, Glasgow on 4:36pm Fri 9 Mar 07
I agree with the other comments posted here. Being a cyclist myself, I know the dangers of cycling in the city centre. I'm all for encouraging children to ride to school and the independence and self-reliance that it would bring. But our cities, and Glasgow in particular, must develop safe cycle routes for all cyclists. Sharing a cycle lane with buses and taxis is a very scary experience, and what do you do when the cycle lane finishes, or a bus overtakes you only to draw in to a bus stop right in front of you?
The Glasgow Green Party Manifesto states:
Green councillors will work to support the further development of safe walking and cycling routes to school, school buses and walking buses, and will oppose cuts in the number of lollipop men and women.
Rosemary Burnett
Prospective Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Glasgow
I agree with the other comments posted here. Being a cyclist myself, I know the dangers of cycling in the city centre. I'm all for encouraging children to ride to school and the independence and self-reliance that it would bring. But our cities, and Glasgow in particular, must develop safe cycle routes for all cyclists. Sharing a cycle lane with buses and taxis is a very scary experience, and what do you do when the cycle lane finishes, or a bus overtakes you only to draw in to a bus stop right in front of you?
The Glasgow Green Party Manifesto states:
Green councillors will work to support the further development of safe walking and cycling routes to school, school buses and walking buses, and will oppose cuts in the number of lollipop men and women.
Rosemary Burnett
Prospective Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Glasgow
Posted by: Davie, Tobermory on 8:56pm Fri 9 Mar 07
I have just completed a cycling course and at the end of it one of the highs that was quoted by a fellow trainee was "cycling on Paisley Road West, I would never have done that at the beginning of the course".
There are courses out there for children to learn not only basic cycling but for more advanced techniques as well. I would recommend any parent to try and get there children on a course run by cycling Scotland. These courses are also available for adults.
I have just completed a cycling course and at the end of it one of the highs that was quoted by a fellow trainee was "cycling on Paisley Road West, I would never have done that at the beginning of the course".
There are courses out there for children to learn not only basic cycling but for more advanced techniques as well. I would recommend any parent to try and get there children on a course run by cycling Scotland. These courses are also available for adults.
Posted by: Avril McDonald, Troon on 10:13pm Fri 9 Mar 07
Before parents encourage their children to cycle to school they should investigate the school's policy on bike theft. My son took a brand new expensive bike to school, locked it in an inner courtyard for one afternoon and never saw it again. The school's insurance company, Zurich, refused to compensate in any way for the £700 loss because the school had "in no way been negligent". This was the last time he took a bike to school.
Before parents encourage their children to cycle to school they should investigate the school's policy on bike theft. My son took a brand new expensive bike to school, locked it in an inner courtyard for one afternoon and never saw it again. The school's insurance company, Zurich, refused to compensate in any way for the £700 loss because the school had "in no way been negligent". This was the last time he took a bike to school.
Posted by: Barbara De La Rue, Glasgow West End on 10:49pm Fri 9 Mar 07
In European countries where cycling is a common means of transport (e.g. Holland, Scandinavian countries) safety is ensured by nearly completely separating cars and bikes. Where there is no safe cycling lane it is legal and acceptable to cycle on the pavement. In the west end of Glasgow where I live cars are allowed to park in the cycle lanes, (e.g.Clarence Drive, Highborough Rd.) which in any case are narrow, end unpredictably (e.g. University Av.) and have no physical barrier to stop cars driving in them. No responsible parent could let a child cycle alone to school in these conditions until it is made legal to cycle on the pavement.
In European countries where cycling is a common means of transport (e.g. Holland, Scandinavian countries) safety is ensured by nearly completely separating cars and bikes. Where there is no safe cycling lane it is legal and acceptable to cycle on the pavement. In the west end of Glasgow where I live cars are allowed to park in the cycle lanes, (e.g.Clarence Drive, Highborough Rd.) which in any case are narrow, end unpredictably (e.g. University Av.) and have no physical barrier to stop cars driving in them. No responsible parent could let a child cycle alone to school in these conditions until it is made legal to cycle on the pavement.
Posted by: Rod, Glasgow on 11:21pm Wed 6 Jun 07
i would never let a child cycle in Glasgow given the current situation in Glasgow. I just simply wouldn't put a child at that risk...personal experience... 3 Stolen and vandalised bikes, almost sucked under busses driving too closely as they pass or being forced to take action as they drive you off the road to get by (they have timetables to keep you know), Glasgow Council must have came up with the plan to share lanes with such weildy and timetabled vehicles on the back of a fag packet. passing motorists who don't look or think they have a god given right to turn left tfrom hree lanes out, motorists who dont stop even if they clip you !!!!! The list is endless. If you want people on bikes, provide secure manned cycle parks in the city centre, seperated lanes for cyclists wherever possible even if it means losing parking spaces (can't have it all ways) Needless to say I wont cycle in Glasgow at the moment until things improve greatly
i would never let a child cycle in Glasgow given the current situation in Glasgow. I just simply wouldn't put a child at that risk...personal experience... 3 Stolen and vandalised bikes, almost sucked under busses driving too closely as they pass or being forced to take action as they drive you off the road to get by (they have timetables to keep you know), Glasgow Council must have came up with the plan to share lanes with such weildy and timetabled vehicles on the back of a fag packet. passing motorists who don't look or think they have a god given right to turn left tfrom hree lanes out, motorists who dont stop even if they clip you !!!!! The list is endless. If you want people on bikes, provide secure manned cycle parks in the city centre, seperated lanes for cyclists wherever possible even if it means losing parking spaces (can't have it all ways) Needless to say I wont cycle in Glasgow at the moment until things improve greatly
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