By Jan Garrad: Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Social Development.
17 October 2011, 'The Conversation'
CYCLING IN AUSTRALIA: In 1970, nearly all young people in Australia walked, cycled or took public transport to school or university (84%). Few travelled by car (16%). Fast forward to 2011 and most children are now driven to school.
So what has changed in the past 40 years? What can we do to get more children cycling to school? And why does this even matter?
National data are no longer available but in Melbourne, nearly four times as many young people are being driven to school than in 1970. Cycling levels are at an all-time low of 2.6%.
In fact, Australian children are among the most chauffeured young people in the developed world. Out of the total distance 10-14 year olds travel, walking and cycling is used for 33.5% of the distance in the Netherlands, 14.4% in Switzerland and 13.8% in Germany.
In Melbourne (again, there is no national data), it’s 4.6%.
Read the whole story:
http://theconversation.edu.au/why-arent-more-kids-cycling-to-school-3531?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+conversationedu+%28The+Conversation%29
My kids ride to Harristown State Highschool daily by bike from Glenvale. They told me that truck drivers regularly blow their horns and put out the middle finger to them when they see them driving. I myself have experienced this behaviour from truck drivers while riding and am scared for the safety of my children. What society is this that allows such a behavior towards children, who are so vulnerable, on their way to school? I am totally disgusted!
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