Travel to School

[LMaufe]

Are there any other mums out there who want to be able to let their children cycle to school?

Many mums are valiantly trying to walk or cycle in what are often very hostile roads, particularly when you're accompanying young children.

Here in 2008, motorists killed or injured 12,054 children as they walked or cycled.
In the Netherlands, children play out and cycle independently from a very young age due to low speeds, strict driver liability laws and high quality street design.

Does anyone else think the government should do more so kids can be "free range", not cooped up?

What do you suggest, LMaufe?

"Homezones" where pedestrians have priority, much lower speeds, more money spent on better street design, crossings, stricter laws on how to overtake cyclists...

'Strict Driver Liability' would help (those in the vehicles which kill are liable if they hit someone more vulnerable.) It's a peculiar fact that under UK law if you run over a child you are unlikely to get a custodial sentence if you say you didn't see them, but if you accidentally shoot a child the penalty is much harsher. Cars kill over 100 kids each year as they walk or cycle near their homes but this seems to be just accepted as part of every day life.