Riding home alone????

Oh little Speedy, this is such a difficult question to answer. I think alot of it would depend on how responsible you feel your son is. I like your second response and what that person had to say. I think I would do this for a couple more weeks and make sure the bike is in good order. It's just so scary out there today but yet we have to leave them feel they're growing up. I think it would be great if you could meet him half-way at least for a couple of weeks to see how he is progressing and I would tell him exactly that. He's on a trial run. Eventually, maybe he'll find a buddy who he can bike along with, even if it is half-way..it's better than nothing. I think 8 is old enough but I had girls and I was completely overly protective but I did let them go on their own and made strict rules within the household. One of them was they were to come straight home after school, no ifs, ands, or doubts. Then they could go to play for a while, but not until I knew they were safe and sound first. It's so scary, I don't envy you at all right now...but they do have to learn responsiblity. Don't you wish you could protect them all their lives?

It depends on. I know sometimes we should give more freedom to our children, but on the other hand we will have many worries. And as you know, sometimes we can not just afford the mistakes. Your child is still little. I concern about the traffic much more. Since today there are a lot of cars in the street. I am afraid the accident. Even if your child rides carefully, but a careless driver can also cause an accident. I think at first you shall think about whether the journey from your home to school is safe enough for him to ride a lone. I love China

This all depends on a lot. Your neighborhood safety and how street smart he is. My 10 year old has been walking to her bus stop up and around the corner from our house for the last 2 years. She is a girl. It's only about a block and a half and a know the person who's house she stands right out side of. And my mother in law is on her way there too and can almost see her from the back of her house. I wouldn't let her walk or ride all the way to school which is about the same distance as your sons. But for one because she is a girl, and for 2 I don't live in a good neighborhood at all. I would say this decision should be determined by your instinct. And the first sign of problems you gotta start riding with him again. Maybe start riding him half way at first or something.

Hello Speedy, I don't know there but i think it's best for him to keep riding on the service until he reaches grade 10 or Junior High or something. It's too dangerous now in our neighborhood that even services had to be vigilant in calling and guarding the students. they have a huge responsibility with the students future.

For me 8 is too young. At ten maybe he could do it alone. Explain to him the danger he may get if he insists of what he wants. He will come at the right time when he can do things at his own All he have to do is wait.

It might be a good idea to let him do it by himself, but perhaps monitoring him for a week or two. If if shows signs of responsible thinking, then it's most likely not a problem to let him ride on his own. The fact that you've been riding with him for a few months already, probably means that he is quite familiar with the situation already. I'm assuming that you have already told him about certain spots to look out for. The condition of his bike is also important, I guess. Make sure his brakes work properly. Make sure his ringer works properly. Oil up that chain. By having a safe and sound bike, the chance of anything happening out of his control is reduced severely. I once had an accident because my brakes weren't working. I stubbornly still decided to use the bike the following few days however. I was fine however, as I knew I shouldn't have been racing around too fast. But still. Most kids probably start going by themselves at the age of 7-8. I think it's mostly because their parents -can't- ride with them all the time. This could be due to school or anything similar. If you have the option to ride with him, then, as a parent, it's almost always the right choice to do so. If you think your child has enough skill and insight in road traffics, then go ahead and give him a shot at it!