The children in the photographs look like they're about three or four – your children were "organising themselves" to get themselves to nursery/school at that age?

It was more of a general comment - we are far too 'protective' of our children we stifle their independence and ability to learn their limits for themselves.

Has society really got that much more sinister in the last 30 years that are children need watching 24/7?

On that I agree entirely.

Many things have changed over 30 years that have lead to an increase in children being privately transported to school but think stranger danger is probably way down the list of reasons, if that is what you meant by society becoming more sinister.

You might have a realistic attitude toward 'stranger danger', but I think a lot of people genuinely believe it's a much bigger threat than it is.

You're right, but I was meaning there are other reasons, e.g. busier roads, choosing schools out of catchment are, accessibilty to a vehicle, working life, etc. that come before stranger danger is a consideration

Our office used to be located on a busy main road going into Leeds (Otley Road) and had the usual logjam of traffic every weekday morning around the traffic lights about 50 yards away, my brother used to come to work across thos traffic lights and he told me at least once a week of a father who rode a bike together with his two young kids on their bikes, presumably shepherding them to school every morning - my brother used to keep an eye open for them at the same time every day because one of them would almost get wiped out by a car driver at least once every week, he used to dread it when he saw them coming and in the main it wasn't their fault.

God knows what it must be like to ride a wheelbarrow through London with your kids in it.

I know what you mean, but on schools out of catchment areas, I used to travel by two buses to school, eight miles away, from the age of 11. Plenty of other children did too.

And while roads may be busier, at what point do you stop wrapping a child in cotton wool and let them do what they'll have to do at some point – and learn to deal with it?

I'll hold my hand up here, I suspect the answer is "never", I drop my two off at the train station every morning and I sit in the car and watch while they cross the road safely, they are 25 and 21 years old

Now, if that's not the nearest available school,, that would be at least £1 fare per journey so £4/day minimum. With access to a car, now many familes have 2 cars and the mother working child friendly hours, it's much cheaper and more convient. Moreover, parents have been doing it since the kids were babies in nursery, so it becomes the norm.

Agreed - but every time I see one of the pillocks I feel like saying something to them. It is ourageous to risk their kids life like that. The others who wind me up are mothers pushing kids in buggies who walk up to the edge of the kerb and wait because there is heavy traffic - but they have pushed the child into the road. I see that regularly and it sickens me - especially if I am driving past them.

It's a pity we can't have a few YouTube links to what can be achieved with all manner of stuff precariously balanced and transported on bikes in India.

rlNo need for youtube or to travel as far as Indiarl

Filmed just down the road from me

To be honest I wouldn't take my young children on a bike through a busy city regardless of what in, or on their own bike, particularly in rush hour.