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.

I find this with a lot of people who work from home. They expect everyone else to keep quiet. If it's a problem, go to the office.

You are being a busy body
Mind your business
You'd be whinging about "poor parenting " if the children were having too much screen time
Children playing outside on bikes
Just like I did as a child in the 80s

I dream of this for my kids.

I doubt they're bored, kids are much more imaginative that adults and need that time to free play and chat without adults around. It's actually really important to the development of important social skills and risk assessment. Even if they are bored, a bit of boredom is good for us all, adults included.

[pedantry alert]: WD40 isn't actually a lubricant, so squeaks will quickly come back. 😀
Let kids be kids - I think it's brilliant that they're out on their bikes. And as someone said, nobody has a right to compete silence.

I live in the house where I raised my children overlooking the park where they played most days and many days during the school holidays.I find it really sad now that there are never any children on the park as it used to be so busy when mine were small. Our cul de sac runs on a slope there used to be scooter and bikes and skateboard going up and down all day.
I think it's been forgotten that it is very normal to have children playing out free and unsupervised and that is a shame as I think children gained a lot from it. Those children's parents near you likely feel reassured that they are close by. If the squeaky wheel bothers you then offer to oil it or invest in noise cancelling headphones.

It might be boring to you, but not to the kids obviously.
I don't think that's your concern here though, your concern is that your peace is being disrupted. I spent most of my youth out and about on my bike, either riding up and down or round our village.
I'd rather kids did that than being stuck inside on games consoles or watching YouTube!
So yes, YABVU.

This is disgraceful. Who would allow their children to get outside, play, get some fresh air and healthy exercise? They would much better sitting on their arses shovelling chocolate into their mouths whilst staring at a screen. Terrible parenting.

I'd imagine if they were bored, they wouldn't be doing it, they'd be off doing something else instead. Kids tend not to choose to do boring things! So they are clearly enjoying it if they keep doing it. What's fun for us isn't always what's fun for kids.

I always like seeing kids out cycling around as it reminds me of my childhood. I would cycle around the neighbourhood for hours, sometimes solo, sometimes with pals.

Also, while I sympathise that it must be annoying when you're working, these are presumably residential properties in a residential area. They aren't designed as workplaces, they are for people to live in. All sorts of noises can happen in residential neighbourhoods: people mowing the grass, getting building work done, kids playing, people pushing crying babies in prams around the block, dogs barking. Working from home means you have to accept you may have to contend with all of the above, and if you can't, then perhaps the office is more suitable.

I really recommend headphones and white noise (I love the website mynoise for lots of options).

But with my office, if everyone turned up, there would be no room for everyone. More staff than desks

If it was boring they wouldn't do it

That's not the problem of these kids, they are playing in their neighbourhood. You working from home is not their problem

I'd go down with a packet of biscuits or some kind of snack have a chat and oil the bikes for them (explain its noisy and also good bike maintenance)

At least you grt some peace and they get a snack thst way

Poor little fuckers. That sounds shit and their parents sound weird.

We used to play “tracking” in which we’d chalk an arrow on the pavement. I dread think what you would make this ?

But everyone isn’t going to turn up. Not everyone has squeaky cyclists.

It would be boring for you. It's probably not that boring for a primary school aged child. They won't just be cycling and down with no interaction. They'll be messing around, talking/playing, socialising, doing wheelies and generally arsing about, which when you're a child is fun.

When I was a child we lived in a cul-de-sac and we used to bike round and round it for literally hours! We weren't bored.

I can't really understand why you're obsessing over this. You can't expect kids not to play outside!

None of your business. Next.

Nobody suggested that everyone turn up. They suggested that you turn up.

if they were bored don't you think they'd do something else? take them a can of WD40 if the squeak is annoying

Sounds like my childhood.

Socialising - check
Conversation- check
Riding bikes - check
Exercise - Check
Fresh Air - check
Staying within a certain boundary - check
Being safe in numbers - check

You even suggest that the parents arent doing enough because they arent PAYING for activities. I bet you think those mind numbing soft play centres where all the children run around screeching is better for them. Zero conversation, absolute mayhem and lazy parents drinking coffee.

Oh how awful, children exercising outdoors in the school holidays. And making sounds as well! Children should not be seen or heard.

What’s wrong with kids being out in the fresh air and on their bikes

Sounds good to me.

what are you worried about?

Bit annoying noise-wise, but I suppose that's the sort of thing kids do to let off steam, and playing outside is healthier than being stuck indoors

Op - if they are 11 they would presumably be allowed to ride to the park should they wish. It sounds like they are choosing to stay in the street.