On ‘yer bike! British kids ditch the BMX to fester in front of the TV
- New research shows 1 in 10 British kids can’t ride a bike and 1 in 3 UK homes are now bike free
BRITISH kids would rather stay at home and play computer games than learn how to ride a bike, new research claims.
A new report has revealed a shocking 1 in 10 kids can’t ride a bike.
An astonishing 1 in 3 homes in the UK are now bike free zones whilst 74% of Brits admitted that watching TV and playing computer games has replaced learning to ride a bike as a childhood rite of passage.
The research by Kellogg’s Bran Flakes also showed the latest games consoles such as the X Box and PS3 have replaced the BMX as the childhood accessory of choice with parents admitting they have spent double on computer games and consoles during the last decade than they had on bikes or cycling equipment. A shocking 1 in 10 kids cannot ride a bike.
According to the report almost half of UK parents admitted to NEVER riding a bike anymore whilst 48% of parents confessed that learning to ride a bike is not as important for children nowadays as it was during their childhood. One in five parents in London told Kellogg’s Bran Flakes that they weren’t going to bother teaching their children at all.
Over half of the public taking part in the research blamed a lack of local cycle routes with 52% describing their home town or city as unsuitable for cycling. Road safety concerns and time were also major barriers to cycling.
A spokesperson for Kellogg’s Bran Flakes said: “As committed supporters of cycling in Britain we are keen to do something about this worrying trend. It appears that the main barrier to cycling is a lack of local safe cycle routes so that’s where we’ve started. We’ve created a website with hundreds of safe cycle routes situated all over the UK. All you need to do is type in your postcode and you’ll be able to find all of your nearest cycle routes”.
The report also cited that cycling would be more popular if VAT on bikes was to be removed whilst one in five Brits stated that improved government schemes would encourage them to get back on their bikes.
Liverpool is the city with the fewest cyclists with 48% of households admitting to not owning any bikes.
Whilst Glasgow is the city with the highest number of adults (14%) unable to ride a bike, more than double the national average.
Kellogg’s Bran Flakes has developed a new cycling information website www.getonyourbike.co.uk where you can find your local cycle routes by typing in your postcode. The website also contains expert advice and handy hints and tips for safe cycling.
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