Only one in ten children ride to school, even though 80% of parents think it would improve their kids' health, according to a new survey released today by the Cycling Promotion Fund and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.

The survey of more than 1,000 parents across Australia also found:

  • Nearly two-thirds of parents said they would let their children ride to school if there were safe routes
  • 8 in 10 nominated too much traffic and a lack of safe routes as key barriers to kids being allowed to ride to school
  • Parents surveyed agreed that 'cycling is a good way to get fit'
  • Almost 60% of parents drive their children to school
  • 1 in 2 parents support formal cycle education programs
  • 1 in 2 live less than 10 minutes from school, a distance which could easily by cycled or walked by children.

'Cycling to school is clearly something that children are able to do and parents want to encourage, but they're being let down by a lack of safe cycle paths,' said Dr Lyn Roberts, National CEO of the Heart Foundation.

'The number of children being driven to school has sadly reached a record high - arriving at the school gates by car was rare in the 70s, but now it's the norm for 6 in 10 families.

'We're missing a huge opportunity to tackle childhood obesity, reduce carbon emissions and ease congestion on the roads.

'We urge all levels of Government to invest to ensure the next generation is able to adopt healthy and active options for their daily trip to school,' Dr Roberts said.

Stephen Hodge, spokesman for the Cycling Promotion Fund said with the national Ride to School Day coming up this Friday, Australian parents have the answer; make cycling to school safer!

'Leadership and investment for cycling to school programs is vital to turn around this national crisis of inactivity in our children and make the trip to school the happy, healthy experience it once was', said Hodge.

Today's survey was launched at the 10th Australian Bicycling Achievement Awards which recognises achievements nationally in programs and initiatives that are encouraging all Australians to ride their bikes.

See www.cyclingawards.com.au.