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Survey: Distance among reasons for not cycling to school
🇮🇪 Ireland /Culture & Society

Survey: Distance among reasons for not cycling to school

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Nearly 80% of children in Ireland do not cycle to school, despite parental wishes for less car use.
  • Leading reasons cited for not cycling include long distances, heavy school bags, unpredictable weather, and parental concerns about safety.
  • Increased cycling infrastructure and targeted 'Bike to School' schemes are seen as key interventions to encourage more children to cycle.

Despite a strong desire among parents for their children to cycle to school, a significant majority of Irish children remain off their bikes. Research from RedClick/Ireland Thinks reveals that nearly 80% of children never cycle to school, with distance being the primary barrier for 54% of respondents.

I'm a mum of three primary aged children, who are all physically able to cycle to school but it's not something they can do every day.

— Úna MorrisonA mother of three, Úna Morrison from the Irish Cycling Campaign, explains the practical difficulties children face when trying to cycle to school.

Beyond the long commutes, other major deterrents include heavy school bags (41%), unpredictable weather (39%), and a lack of parental confidence in cycling with children (22%). For secondary school students, unsuitable uniforms (49%) and concerns about personal appearance (42%) also emerge as significant obstacles.

Úna Morrison of the Irish Cycling Campaign acknowledges the parental desire but is unsurprised by the figures. She highlights the safety concerns, describing routes as unsafe with "SUVs beside them there's no visibility." She notes that even for children physically able to cycle, the environment often makes it impractical for daily use.

Physically they are a lot smaller, with SUVs beside them there's no visibility and there is not a safe route for them.

— Úna MorrisonÚna Morrison describes the safety hazards children face on the road, emphasizing the lack of visibility and safe routes.

Parents also attribute the decline in cycling to increased screen time and indoor habits, with 42% pointing to children spending more time on smartphones and gaming consoles. However, sustainability journalist Jo Linehan offers an encouraging perspective, noting that children who do cycle gain greater confidence and develop better decision-making skills.

It's essentially just paint on the side of a road once they come out of our house to go to school.

— Úna MorrisonÚna Morrison criticizes the inadequate cycling infrastructure, likening painted lanes to mere suggestions on the road.

To boost cycling rates, the research indicates a strong demand for safer cycling infrastructure, with 48% identifying it as the most effective intervention. A further 28% advocate for a 'Bike to School' scheme, mirroring the successful 'Bike to Work' program.

What's really interesting is yes parents feel maybe they don't have the confidence to send their children out but what's fascinating and really encouraging is that the parents who do send their children out on bicycles see they have a lot more confidence and they have better decision-making skills.

— Jo LinehanSustainability journalist Jo Linehan highlights the positive impact of cycling on children's confidence and decision-making skills.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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