AIBU to be concerned about children that spend all the time cycling noisily near my flat?

[Hdlll]

There are a couple of families near me, when it’s weekends or holidays, their DC just spend the time riding around on their bikes up and down the parking area where my flat is. They don’t live in the flats but one of the houses opposite the entrance.

They do this when it’s raining and dark. Obviously not the issue at the moment.

I know one of the mums works for a shop part time in the town as seen her in the shop.

I feel sorry for the kids. If parents can’t afford to take them out - we have 3 parks in 15 minutes walk in different directions.

An issue is that the kids bikes need oiling/WD40 as they squeak. Bloody annoying when hybrid working on the phone most of the time. Before anyone asks - this issue has only arisen since February.

What exactly are you concerned about?

Take a can of wd40 and fix the squeak yourself?? 😁 I think the parents/children might feel safer riding in the car park area. Maybe they don't want to be too far away from home?

Their ages are very relevant here

No one is entitled to silence.
Sounds like the kids are doing no harm, and are better outdoors on their bikes than indoors in front of a screen.

'Cycling noisily' - that's a new one.

I spent most of my childhood summer holidays cycling around our estate with others, towing people on roller skates etc.

That was probably the least annoying thing that we did, but people then understood that children being outside was normal.

I would rather they where out on their bikes than playing computer games all day. My entire childhood was riding bikes, climbing trees etc. The world has becomes less tolerant of children since the 80s.

What’s your actual concern?
How old are the kids?

wow this is sad op

You think they are deprived because they are playing on their own doorsteps? you presume their parents 'can't afford' to take them out or are failing to take them to the park?

This used to be normal!! We have literally forgotten that the space outside homes was for people to use - for children to play in.

Maybe their parents are cooking dinner and are really pleased they are within sight enjoying themselves with their neighbours?

A trip to the park involves organising/ adults leaving the home/one adult deciding to take lots of kids etcc etc.

Do you think streets should only be for cars?

If they make you worried why not go and say hi? kids play at the end of my road and I went over and said to them - I love that you guys are playing here and also said hello to their mum, my neighbour. That way I got to know my community.

give it a go.

and btw - kids do make noise when they are playing ..it's completely natural.

Why do you feel sorry for the kids? They clearly can make their own fun and don't need parents 'to take them out' to expensive places.

Try to view what they're doing more positively - they are interacting with each other, getting exercise, getting outside.

This cannot be serious

@ladyrinths I don't know - there is a perception that children must be managed at all times by others - teachers, parents, sports coaches and that allowing them to actually learn to manage their own activity and behaviour is tantamount to neglect.

To be fair, my childhood was definitely on the (usually benign) neglect side of life - but we certainly learned to problem solve and manage situations.

Yes it was the reference to the mum working that made me think “huh”. Does OP think the mum neglected her child by working?

My little boy would absolutely love to live in a place where he could play outside all day with his mates on his bike. What a lovely childhood. I feel so sad for him only going to get out when I have the odd weekend day off and we’re not totally skint. It’s nice to know some children still have childhoods like these 😢

They are playing outside on their bikes (noisily?!) - no anti-social behaviour - just normal activity.

I think you need to reframe this. The children (and their parents) are not the problem here, your expectations are. Move away to a deserted area in the middle of nowhere if you can't cope with the noise of children playing.

Kids - unsure of which kids belong to which parents are between 6-11. I’m rubbish at guessing ages.

My concern is that they need to go out further than cycling up and down the 50m or so car park all day long. Yes I know they are off screens but that must be boring

I’m ok with noisy children but the mentality of riding up and down the same area must be boring

Stop the presses.
Kids cycling up and down outside. Shock, horror!

I too spent a lot of my childhood riding my bike up and down (and jumping over a long piece of elastic, remember that?!) had a great childhood and would rather my kids did that than Sat at home on screens all day. Go kids!

So it's now the fact that you think it's boring that's concerning you?

OP you don’t have kids do you?

My son is almost 8. He has multiple modes of transport (stunt scooters, mountain bikes, bmx, skateboard) and he would literally take these to bed with him if I let him! He does regular BMX race training sessions each week, multiple trips to the skate park, downhill mountain biking but he also loves just going up and down the street outside. He talks to himself when doing it and is very happy in his little world.

When I was a kid, I also rode my bike everywhere and pretended I was riding a horse. I loved it.

Kids have fabulous imaginations and can make anything into a game. They are probably having a great time or they wouldn’t be out there.

The parents will be happy the kids are outside and exercising. You need to move to the countryside if you don’t want to hear kids playing.

That’s really not your problem.

So it's not a welfare thing, you are concerned that they are bored?

It's called "playing out" and is quite normal. Kids don't need to be taken to designated areas to play.

It's kids playing where they live. A 50m car park by their homes sounds perfect for cycling up and down.

I'm glad the kids are outside having fun.

If you don't like the squeaking go and offer them a can of WD40 to spray on their bikes.