Couple warned over allowing children to cycle to school alone

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

From the Telegraph.

I agree that 8 and 5 is far too young to be cycling unsupervised.

I do think that five is too young. Eight is marginal, but alone, not in charge of a five yr old.

Of course all children are different, but I wouldn't let m five year old travel a mile to school supervised only by an eight year old. Add into this the fact they are cycling alongside busy roads in South London...

It is sad but I think a bit young in this day and age - however I was riding my bike to school at 5.

Also in the DM article their is a photo which i asume is the children riding their bikes and they are not wearing helmets!! Surely that would be a must - I think unsupervised or not. It really shocks me when people let their children ride bikes or scooters without helmets - especially toddlers!! But hey that is another topic.

I agree - too young. They can foster independence in different ways.

But to get Social Services involved? Really?

FWIW, I wouldn't let kids that age cycle on the roads round here, but they're all 60mph roads with no streetlights and no pavements. Sounds a bit different where they are?

I read this in the Times today too - what the hell has it got to do with the school?

An 8yo really ought not be supervising a 5yo TBH.

And a 5yo IMO is not old enough to be travelling by bike for a mile unsupervised. And that has nothing to do with the year; I'd have felt so had it been in my childhood days.

I am not convinced that an 8yo is od enough TBH either.

Because the school is part of child protection procedures. Just like if they suspect neglect/abuse they would be involved.

Schools have a duty of care. If they are concerned about child safety they have to act - and this would be a safety concern, surely?

I wish I lived in Dulwich, I would let my children (if they were a bit older) ride with them. I do think five is a bit young but I don't think the parents are behaving badly.

I expect everybody would be a lot happier if the children were driven to school.

Everyone that is except the parents and their children that is.

oooooooooo - gosh - now I let my 9 and 6yr old walk to school together (2 minor roads to cross to the infant school where DS2 goes) and then DS1 walks up the road and across the pedestrian crossing to the Juniors. Which many may find shocking,

But that's awfully young to travel that far, especially along busy roads and on a bike IMO

I expect I would be happier if they were supervised on the way to school.

I also suspect that there is a class element to people's reaction to this an that if the parents were from a different socio-economic group people would be much happier to judge.

I hope they do wear helmets though.

That's interesting toccatanfudge; do others think it would be more acceptable if thw two children were walking, rather than cycling?

I wouldn't let my 2 walk that far together either.

I did let DS1 (then aged 8 1/2) walk the mile to school once or twce at the start of last year. But for that distance I wouldn't have been happy with them walking together that distance.

I wouldn't be happy letting them walk any further than they currently do at their current ages either - so if I'd moved 2 streets away rather than just one from the school then I would be walking DS2 every morning.

I would love to be able to say that I think this is OK but even for me I think its just a bit too much too soon.
I don't live in London so have no concept of what the area is like, I would certainly allow a 9/10 yo to cycle to school where I live but not so sure about taking a 5 yo as well.

All sounds very idyllic, but if you want to let your young DC make their way to school, you need to move to rural Germany, and not live in Dulwhich.

It is reported in the Times- and comments there take the sensible view that the parents are to be applauded! It is a safe route-they cross with the lollipop lady. Everyone used to do this and no one ever thought it was a case for social services! I walked to school at the age of 8yrs. I walked about a mile and a half, crossed 2 quiet roads and took my 5 yr old brother and the 5 yr old from next door. We all did it!
Even when I started teaching it was the norm-it is only today that children are denied any freedom.
I hope that the couple fight it at the highest level and win-a victory for common sense.

I personally think that is far too young to be cycling alone in a city. I don't think city drivers + small child on a bike is a good combination. At all.

5 is a little bit young, but 8 surely is alright. (But then I grew up in Germany, where it was considered normal. Unless things have changed there, too, since I was a kid)

I wonder if people would have the same view if they walked? I think the rule (when DCs had responsibility and freedom) was that they had to have passed their cycling proficiency test which was year 6.
I think walking is fine and I would have been highly insulted at 8yrs for people to say it was too young to take my brother and friend.It was the norm-everyone did it. DCs got the bus to school, by themselves at a young age.