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Why it matters
Free Range Kids is all about putting the right to roam back at the heart of children's lives. Today the average eight year old's horizons extend a few hundred metres or, for some kids, to their back garden and bedroom.
Childhood should be a crucial time in our lives - a time to develop independence, explore, have fun, discover friendships, scuff our knees, and generally learn about life. These days it's more about being removed from our environment, and denied freedom to get out and about.
Together we can change this. There are things we can all do to give our kids more freedom now, or we can get together with our neighbours to do something for the children in our community, or call on those in power to make changes for the better, like lower speed limits. And what would it all add up to?
Healthier kids - children who walk and cycle to school every day are more likely to achieve the recommended daily levels of physical activity of an hour a day for children. According to an ex-Chief Medical Officer, if a drug or medication existed which had a similar effect to physical exercise it would be regarded as a "wonder drug" or "miracle cure".
More outdoor play - children are more likely to play outside their front door on less busy roads where traffic travels more slowly. The proportion of parents forbidding street play significantly increases where traffic levels are heavier and traffic speed is faster.
Brighter, happier kids - teachers report that children who walk or cycle to school are frequently more alert, relaxed and ready to start the school day compared to those arriving by car. And kids who get to school under their own steam are better off in terms of their social and emotional wellbeing.
Kids with more friends - children living in streets without traffic have twice as many playmates in the neighbourhood than children not allowed outside unsupervised.
More community-aware children - children today are less likely to be able to recall a favourite place outside their home in the local neighbourhood than adults. Children who get around under their own steam get to know their local area and the people who live there.
Choices for children - nearly half of children surveyed by Sustrans in 2010 wanted to get to school by bike, but only 4% were allowed to.
Less traffic on the roads - nearly one in five cars on the road at 8.50am during term time are taking kids to school. The average primary school journey is under two miles, or less than 30 minutes walk. If roads were safer and more pleasant for walking and cycling, there are very few school journeys that couldn't be made on foot, scooter or bike.
