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Original poster

Would you let your 9 year old daughter go cycling with friends

31 replies

diddleedoo · 15/06/2009 21:59

We live in a large village with a large park a couple of minutes away. Recently a couple of her friends have been allowed cycling around the village and the park without their parents. They have a mobile and have strict instructions about where they can and cant go. Obviously my daughter wants to join in - would you let your daughter or son - she is 9 and very sensible.

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cocolepew · 15/06/2009 22:01

Yes, I would.

BodenGroupie · 16/06/2009 12:26

Yes, I did at this age but took them out first to explain things like road markings, give way signs etc.

OrmIrian · 16/06/2009 12:28

Yes.

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GooseyLoosey · 16/06/2009 12:29

I would be most concerned about road safety, but if I thought she would be OK with that, then I think I would.

Biglips · 16/06/2009 12:30

yes

GrinnyPig · 16/06/2009 12:32

Well, I'm going to be the lone voice and say no. I think it's expecting quite a lot of a nine year old to have much road sense - especially on a bike.

MaryBS · 16/06/2009 12:33

I would say no too, and I have a very sensible 9yo.

sarah293 · 16/06/2009 12:34

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seeker · 16/06/2009 12:35

Of course. Unless it's an incredibly busy road, of course.

poopscoop · 16/06/2009 12:35

no

seeker · 16/06/2009 12:46

Why on earth wouldn't you?

Loshad · 16/06/2009 13:00

no, not on roads at 9 - much research shows that children of 9 still cannot effectively judge the speed of passing traffic. I'm not a PFB mum - have 4 children, 3 of whom are over the age of the age of 9 but it's not worth the risk imo.

titchy · 16/06/2009 13:01

Yes if her cycling skills and road sense were OK AND she was with someone.

supagirl · 16/06/2009 14:38

I live in an area where you can cycle to the park without going on the road so I would let our 10 year old BUT I would have to be able to trust her to stick to the cycle ways.

It depends on where you live, the risks (traffic, other kids etc) and the maturity and common sense of the child. ( year olds vary MASSIVELY in the latter 2 in my experience!

SG

ingles2 · 16/06/2009 14:39

no

Rubyrubyrubyinthegame · 16/06/2009 14:47

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poopscoop · 16/06/2009 14:57

I wouldnt because my DS is 9 and there is no way he could cope with it.

I would want my DC top have passed the cycling proficiency test first.

We all cycle alot but at 9 they can still forget what they are doing and look behind them at their friends and veer out into the road. I have seen it happen.

Fennel · 16/06/2009 15:00

Yes, I've let my 9yo dd do this for several years, but it does depend very much on the roads and paths you have around. And of course on the child, we're a cycling family, all the dds cycle a lot more than most children, including on roads.

castille · 16/06/2009 15:04

Yes.

My 9yo DD regularly cycles to the local shops and back. But we live in a reasonably quiet place with plenty of cycle lanes.

MrsMills · 16/06/2009 15:12

It depends. DS1 is 8 and goes everywhere on his bike. He is v confident on it and only uses bike paths, which are everywhere.

You could perhaps spend some time on a road with her and see for yourself how capable she is?

Original poster
diddleedoo · 16/06/2009 15:23

Thanks for all the replies. I would not let her on the road until she has done her proficiency test so it is carefully on the pavement and the park is just accross 1 quiet road which is a cul de sac. It is really difficult letting her have her freedom and trusting her to only go where I say she can - and I guesss that would be very difficult whatever age she starts to go out on her own. Her friends are allowed accross a busy road which they have to cross to get to our house and the park but I have said that she is not allowed to do that. It is never easy making these decisions!

OP posts:
Rubyrubyrubyinthegame · 16/06/2009 15:24

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catinthehat2 · 16/06/2009 15:39

Notwithstanding RubyRuby, here is a fine post from this thread about 8 yr olds cycling in the countryside. I still agree with it for 9 year olds.

"My dad took me out many many many times on the bike at that age to get some road sense. A bunch of silly eight year olds don't learn road sense. Cycling proficiency tests don't teach real road sense. It's practice on the actual local roads she will need , with an adult who can see the terrifying things that can happen on that bend, or at that junction, or how to deal with horses, or how not to panic when the farm lorries go past 6 inches from your back wheel. I beg you to take her out first. I can still see 2 of my dippy ten year old friends cycling all over the place on a double blind bend coming into the village, and so nearly getting run over. That was a LONG time ago and roads are much busier now. PLease take her out first and see how little she really knows, and multiply that by how silly her friends are."

by catinthehat1

MaryBS · 16/06/2009 15:57

I went cycling with my 9yo daughter. Guess which one was sensible, and which one "scooted" up the kerb, came off, and flew ase over tt through the air, smacking her head on the pavement

KidsTunes · 16/06/2009 16:01

I cycled everywhere from the age of about 9. I was a very sensible kid, but even so had my head in the clouds most of the time and had some pretty close shaves.

I agree with the previous poster - I'd be inclined to take her out with you a bit to try and get some road sense first