Cycling alongside my ten-year-old daughter offers feelings of guilt and exposes us to mistreatment; it's an unwarranted state of affairs.
In the bustling city of Greater Manchester, a parent finds themselves navigating the streets with their 10-year-old daughter on a bicycle. This speaker, like many others, has been able to shield their daughter from online assaults so far, but the journey on the road presents its own set of challenges.
The speaker acknowledges the need for stricter cycling regulations, yet navigating the city with a minor leads to choices that aggravate either pedestrians or drivers. Waiting to turn in the middle of the road, for instance, is a vulnerable position for a cyclist, especially with a child.
The speaker and their daughter are often targets for online forums, populist politics, and car-centric jokes about hitting cyclists. On the road, they have felt vulnerable and angry as they were squeezed through narrow gaps by passing vehicles. Explaining profanity yelled at cyclists from cars or the pavement to a 10-year-old was an unexpected experience for the speaker.
The UK's Bikeability Level 2 training, which equips riders with basic cycling skills, is offered to children as young as six. However, the Level 3 training, which equips riders with skills for challenging urban situations, isn't offered until riders are at least 11 years old. Preparation for dealing with hostile altercations could be added to the Level 2 training to better prepare young cyclists.
The speaker's daughter has grown and recently started using 'big wheels' on a bike, making her a size XS adult. This increase in size unfortunately seems to have increased the number of hostile altercations they encounter.
A survey in Greater Manchester found that 47% of the population would cycle more if conditions were better, including feeling safer on the road and more cycle routes. The organisation advocating for better cycling conditions and increased cyclist safety in Greater Manchester is the "Wheels and Walks" programme, supported by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
The speaker feels torn between breaking the law, having alarming altercations with the public, or putting their child's life in the hands of other drivers. They question whether more tolerance from other road users might make their journey safer.
A report by the London Cycling Campaign found that nine out of ten women in London had experienced verbal abuse and aggression while cycling, with 63% experiencing it at least once a month. It's clear that more needs to be done to create a safer and more welcoming environment for cyclists, especially young ones, in our cities.
Read also:
- Overweight women undergoing IVF have a 47% higher chance of conceiving naturally post-weight loss
- Bonsai Trees from Evergreen Species: Exploring Growth Characteristics & Distinct Qualities
- What temperatures may make walking your canine companion uncomfortable?
- Title: Information About Beovu: Potency, Form, Usage, and Additional Details
