Time to let kids go it alone.

28/04/2008

Queens Ferry Gazette reports:

Time to let kids go it alone

PARENTS are being told to get off their kids' backs ... and let them bike it to school.
It's all part of a campaign to get more children cycling to school.

Cycling Scotland is this week launching a campaign to encourage families in the Edinburgh area to get on their bikes and cycle to school.

Over 90 per cent of children have their own bike and a third want to cycle to school. Only one per cent is doing so, mainly because many parents are apprehensive about letting their children cycle to school.

Recent research revealed that one in four children aged between eight and 10 has never played outside unsupervised, highlight the effect parents' fears are having on children.

However, Government cash is allowing more and more cycle paths to be created, especially in the Queensferry area. Provision of bike sheds in schools and 20 mph limits around schools, also help to ensure both the safety of children cycling to school and the security of their bikes.

Where possible, schools provide cycle training to allow children to learn the skills of the road in a real cycling environment. The training teaches children key skills such as manoeuvring, checking for danger and carrying out risk assessments effectively.

Cycling Scotland's chief executive, Erl Wilkie, said: "We realise road safety is a concern for parents, however, the city's new cycle paths and traffic free routes mean that their children do not always have to cycle the same way they drive to school.

Many parents are also unaware of the valuable life skills cycling can help children achieve, including confidence, self reliance, critical judgment and risk assessment of situations."

He added: "With over 40 schools in Edinburgh providing cycle training and a number of schools in the area fitting new secure bike sheds, now is a great time to think about letting your kids cycle to school."

Schools can also now show their commitment to cycling under a new award scheme from Cycling Scotland. The Cycle Friendly Schools award is an initiative that accredits schools that provide good facilities, incentives and promotion for children cycling to school.

The scheme is being launched this month, and will reward schools that provide things like bike parking and lockers, provide cycle training and organise events and incentives to encourage more children to cycle.
Schools can find out about the scheme at the website www.cyclingscotland.org.

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