Every parent can probably relate to the hurry up and wait, sit in the drop off/pick up line for 45 minutes, might miss practice or dinner chaos that is the parking lot of cars of every school zone. While patiently waiting for your turn to pick up your kid(s), you might have noticed the decline in children that ride their bikes to school. In 1969, 48% of students 5-14 years of age biked to school, while today only 12% of students walk or bike to school in the United States. The drastic decline has been gradual over the course of history due to several factors such as distance to school, traffic, weather and crime. At the core of what we have long forgotten and lost are the social, physical and community benefits that cycling to school can bring to our youth.
In late 2018, the Pew Research Center polled 920 Americans ages 13-17 about social problems seen with their peers. The result? 70% of respondents believed that anxiety and depression were a major issue among their peers. As a community, what can we do to assist the youth with overcoming such obstacles? While there are several ways we can help anxiety and depression, a study provided by Cambridge University Press suggested, “that moderate regular exercise should be considered as a viable means of treating depression and anxiety and improving mental well-being in the general public”. Exercise is defined as, “ bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improving health” and can take on various forms. However, it is suggested that cycling can reduce the perception of stress and active commuting is a viable way to impose physical activity in a daily routine. As the rate of perceived anxiety and depression seems to continuously climb within in our youth, advocating for cycling, as a means of exercise and a means of transportation appears to be a relatively cheap and easy way to foster an environment that supports a mentally healthy youth. If our youth are happy, then our future is bright as a society.
Not only are our youth concerned about mental health, but also the general physical fitness of children seems to be declining. Since 1960, the overweight prevalence among children and adolescence has more than tripled from 5% to 15.5%.Why should we care? A number of studies have indicated that obesity at a young age significantly increases the risk of obesity related diseases later on in life such as high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, some cancers, depression and low quality of life. Subpar physical activity levels also contribute to some of the chronic diseases seen above. It is evident that our youth will be faced with health problems far superior to what some other generations have seen. Not only is this a current and future public health issue, but also it is our responsibility as adults to model and lead the youth to a healthier future.
As high-density areas continue to develop, eco-friendly community conversations are soon to follow to protect and enhance quality of life. Topics among concerns are traffic congestion, land preservation and transportation. Studies have shown that cycling and greenways can positively affect all three concerns. In 2011, the National Center for Safe Routes to school found that personal vehicles taking students to school accounted for 10%-14% of all personal vehicle trips made during morning commute times. By reducing the number of private vehicles on the road during traffic, congestion decreases and creates safer streets, allowing for an environment optimal for cycling and walking. A study conducted at the University of Texas found that greenway use and accessibility contributed to better health, fitness, land use and general residence pride. With the benefits cycling and greenways provide a community, why are we not mandating land preservation and eco-friendly transportation options with high-density areas?
Many parents have safety concerns about allowing their children to ride their bicycle to school. There are several programs that work constantly to improve safety for kids while advocating for commuting to school by bicycle. Organizations like Walk Bike to School, Vision Zeroand Safe Routes to School provide education, guides and ways all citizens can take action in their communities today to help create a better tomorrow for our youth. Talking to your local alderman, city/county officials, and school leaders are also good ways to address concerns. Your local bike shop can provide maintenance and safety tips on how to maintain a bicycle.
What are your thoughts?