A Classic Childhood Pastime (aka Biking in the Neighborhood) Is Fading

Kids biking though the neighborhood is a fading pastime, but can absolutely make a comeback -> A Classic Childhood Pastime Is Fading

The most relevant pull quote was that “most children prefer to be outside biking instead of on a screen”.

The problem is with the parents, the public, and perception. There is more danger from giant vehicles, faster speeds, and bad neighborhood streets. But! As I’ve found out with my own kids, biking creates more biking. When just a couple parents step out and get their kids riding, it can snowball to where that becomes the “norm” in a small area – which can often be big enough to provide a sense of adventure for kids.

Biking was a huge part of my childhood. The freedom helped me assess risk, make decisions, develop agency, stay active, etc – and I absolutely see it in my kids too. For local governments, basic bike infrastructure is shockingly cheap and pays dividends for years.