Getting Children Riding Again – Making Local Streets Safer for Cycling

EXTENDED ABSTRACT: Local streets have traditionally been the proving ground for most urban bicycle trips – particularly among children. With the increase in car ownership over the years, more children are driven to schools and less are riding, even though distances are frequently less than 2km. This decline is due to a number of factors including: safety fears (real and perceived), lack of separated infrastructure, driver attitudes towards cyclists and speed. Councils need to adopt a multi-faceted approach to reclaiming local streets for active travel for the whole community.