The bicycle as ‘constructive hope’: Children, climate and active transport

Abstract

Children are experiencing an increase in so‐called ‘eco‐anxiety’. Along with others, we argue that children need more concrete, meaningful opportunities to feel they can make a difference in climate. In this article, we contend that bringing back the bicycle, and the opportunities for independent and active mobility that it affords children, is an important form of climate action for young people. We assert that as well as providing sustainability and wellbeing co‐benefits for children, cycling can help bolster the neighbourhood resilience and social cohesion that will be key resources for communities adapting to new climate risks.

Young children's use of blue spaces and the impact on their health, development and environmental awareness: A qualitative study from parents' perspectives

“…The features of blue spaces also impacted on families' choice to drive or to actively commute (walk or cycle) to the beach. Active transport has many health, wellbeing, and social benefits 30 . Furthermore, active transport can have a positive effect on the natural environment, reducing air and noise pollution as well as car emissions 30 .…”

“…Active transport has many health, wellbeing, and social benefits 30 . Furthermore, active transport can have a positive effect on the natural environment, reducing air and noise pollution as well as car emissions 30 . Despite living in coastal communities most families drove to the beach.…”

“…Eco‐anxiety in children is increasing 31 . Providing children with “constructive hope”, and everyday opportunities to show they can make a difference and may be a way to combat children's eco‐anxiety as well as provide planetary health benefits 13,30,32 . Blue spaces could be settings for this through the perceived appreciation, and sense of agency that comes with pro‐environmental behaviours when interacting with blue spaces.…”

“…30 Furthermore, active transport can have a positive effect on the natural environment, reducing air and noise pollution as well as car emissions. 30 Despite living in coastal communities most families drove to the beach. Poor access to public transport and parking fees were barriers to visiting blue spaces.…”

“…31 Providing children with "constructive hope", and everyday opportunities to show they can make a difference and may be a way to combat children's eco-anxiety as well as provide planetary health benefits. 13,30,32 Blue spaces could be settings for this through the perceived appreciation, and sense of agency that comes with pro-environmental behaviours when interacting with blue spaces. And while time in natural outdoor spaces broadly is associated with pro-environmentally friendly behaviours, 3 our findings suggest more research is needed to investigate components of pro-environmentally friendly behaviours (eg, biodiversity, climate change) attributed to interactions with blue spaces and the mechanisms involved in supporting and developing these behaviours.…”