To think kids could cycle 1.5 miles to school?

[Silentelf]

Have 3 kids- 6, 4 and 2. Eldest two are at a great primary school and we live less than half a mile away. They walk or cycle and takes 10-15 mins. I then take youngest to nursery and go to work in opposite direction from our house. Been thinking of moving and found a lovely place nearer to work but would mean a 1.5 mile journey to school. Is this mad or normal?! It’s an urban area but easy enough to choose quieter side roads and not go along main bus route etc. Given youngest hasn’t even started school yet we’d be committing to this for the next 8.5 years so need to think it through. Aibu to think this is do-able?

We did 3 miles! I used a tagalong for the youngest and DD1 did it alone from 7.

To clarify...not "on her own alone" but on her own bike while littler DD was behind me on tagalong.

Three of them, so little? I wouldn't. Not in our climate (different for CheapS). It'd mean very early starts to get them all ready then do the journey. Plus how would it work for the youngest in the meantime?

My DS primary school was 1.5 miles up hill too so no chance of cycling as was butty and steep
His new school is about 2.5 miles. I drive him either all the way or to meet his mates half. Way. But soon hell be walking the whole way

I considered this but have ruled out schools for this exact distance. I don't think it's the best for the child if there's another one closer.

They're fine! Mine wore waterproofs bottoms and tops....we.all had super bright hi-vis on.

The only time we couldn't do it was during snow or sleet.

Then we caught a bus.

Why would it not be fine? Surely children have been cycling to school since there have been schools to go to!

Why not? Seems sensible way to instill an acceptance that physical activity is part of the daily routine and win/win.

The council's own guidance on expected distances for kids that age to be able to walk (let alone cycle) to school would back you up.

It is doable but will be a big change from what you are used to. Would you still have to return home before going onto work? That is quite a trek for you to be honest. When we moved, we aimed to stay within a mile of school as we also have many years left with it. I like knowing we can easily walk and the bigger children can walk alone of needed. I probably would have stretched to 1.5 miles for a great house but then I drive so it is pretty easy if we are in a rush.

This is easily doable. Either walking, with kids on scooters or cycling. The statutory walking distance is 2 miles, so it’s well within that. My child has cycled 1.3 miles each way since he was at preschool, in all weathers. Once last year it was torrential rain and we drove, it took 10 mins longer due to traffic and he was late.

Make sure you have good outdoor gear so they are warm and dry. Only you can judge the route and how reliable they are at listening to instructions for safety reasons, but in terms of distance it’s fine and the exercise before school is very beneficial.

Take the kids and do the route and see if its do able and how lond it takes.

I wouldn’t do it along roads, no.

We do a little over a mile each day but it’s down a wooded footpath. I have kittens when we do the 200m stretch down the road to get to it though, and ds stays on the path. He’s 6 and although he is a good little cyclist, it only takes him falling off into the path of a car once.

I do have quite severe anxiety though...

I wouldn't.

I think cycling is dangerous.
I an ideal world we would have a great cycle network, cycle lanes etc.

But we don't. Traffic is heavy, sometimes unpredictable and cyclists- especially such young children are very vulnerable.

Traffic too busy around ours. We walk instead -little one in a push chair.

Far too dangerous around here to cycle at all. I live is a rural area.

Thanks for your thought folks. Yes it would be a big change and mean getting up earlier. It wouldn’t affect me getting to work though as distance from school to work won’t change. They haven’t accepted our offer on the house yet so decision might be out of my hands!

Why would it not be fine? Surely children have been cycling to school since there have been schools to go to!

Well, no.
The earliest bicycle-type devices only appeared in the early 19th century and the bicycle archetype as we know it (more or less), the "boneshaker", only appeared in the 1860s.

The bicycle is a very young invention (much younger, for instance,than the steam engine).