2026-09-22 08:04 UTC
@markstos@urbanists.social
This accords with experience in my family
However my 14 year old grandson does cycle with friends for a few miles to play sports and that's in suburban Manchester.
I used to roam the countryside in Worcestershire at 8 years, with friends.
I think the cause of the decline is cars. Both danger and reliance.
Replies (1)
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@howtophil@oldbytes.space 2026-09-22 08:29
@markhburton@mstdn.social @markstos@urbanists.social There was a surge of serial killers in the 70s and 80s. Partially because it became easier to track killers, but also there were just more. Many blame the increase in lead poisoning from paint, car fumes, etc. I think this had an effect on perceived safety/danger of the world at large by Boomers and older Gen-X parents, which was probably passed down to their children etc... And that resulted in fewer free-range kids