Every third child aged five to eight years old is driven to school in a car by their parents, states a report from the Tryg Foundation and the Road Safety Council.
The report indicates Danish children have a more sedentary lifestyle than in the past, which can negatively affect their fitness level and alertness.
Cycling a conditioner
“Children are more ready for their class when they have just been out cycling and perhaps even talked with a few friends on the cycling path,” Carsten Andersen, the headteacher at Assentoftskolen near Randers, told Berlingske.
According to a Megafon survey on children’s cycling habits from 2014, the most frequent reasons for not cycling are long distances, dangerous roads and bad weather.
Parents to blame
However, parents also have an impact on children’s transport choices, believes Klaus Bondam, the chairman of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation.
“We are aware that it’s a hassle to get toddlers up and ready in the mornings. But we urge parents to see how they can change their routines and consider what it would take [to prepare children for cycling].”
“The will is clearly there,” noted Bondam, referring to the latest figures from Statistics Denmark that show 96 percent of Danes would like to have better opportunities for their children to cycle to school.
