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Ever-diminishing cycling a serious problem for children

Three decades ago most children rode bikes to school or walked — now only 5 per cent do, according to research compiled by Bicycle Victoria in a study of statistics from Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria over eight years to 2006.

Bicycle Victoria said its research indicated that three decades ago, 80 per cent of children rode or walked to school. Now just 5 per cent do.

"Since then, childhood obesity has ballooned to the point where it is an extremely serious problem," Bicycle Victoria program manager Leigh Snelling, said. "Kids aren't getting the hour-a-day's exercise they need just to stay healthy, let alone get fit."

During the morning rush hour, 17 per cent of traffic was children being driven to school, even when living within two kilometres.

The Age

Sun 25 Mar 2007

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