Cycling encourages independence. According to research conducted by YouGov on behalf of Cycling England, children who are ferried to school by car spend an average of two hours and 35 minutes per week in their vehicle, which is equivalent to 8% of school time, compared with only 5% of school time doing physical education. By allowing children to make their own way to school you can help them to become more confident and independent, which is especially important in the transition from primary to secondary school.
The school journey is an ideal opportunity for children to learn road safety awareness and other life skills. For many children, cycling is simply more fun and more sociable than going to school by car, and they love the feeling of freedom it gives them.