The National Child Health Poll revealed that in 2018, seven out of every 10 Australian schoolchildren never walked or cycled to school. 

On the surface, it indicates a generational trend away from physical activity.

But Wagga Cycling Club’s Cameron Oke suggests it may also indicate the changes in circumstance, particularly for families in regional and rural towns.

Despite his children’s active daily lives – his eight-year-old daughter Carrington having recently taken out the title of 2018 NSW under-9 cyclist of the year – neither walks nor rides to school.

”Back when I was a kid, it was a 10km ride from Glenfield to school at St Michael’s every day, but I knew nothing else,” Mr Oke said.

“But living in Junee, my kids are 40km away from their school in Wagga, so they take the bus,” he said.

“Transport now is a lot better than it was back in the day, so people can live further away and still get to school.”

As transport has developed, so has technology.

The national survey indicated that half of all parents use device tracking for assurance their children made it to school.

But while that has alleviated some parenting concerns, Mr Oke said technology has also opened a plethora of extras.

“Social media has a big thing to do with it,” Mr Oke said.

“It’s in your face, it’s in almost every kids’ hands and there’s a lot of chatter on there from people who really don’t like cyclists, be they Lycra-clad or not.

“It doesn’t make them want to get on the road and get to school if they’re going to be subject to road rage,” he said.

Remaining constant over the years, however, is the force of worry over stranger danger.

For all the convenience technology now affords, this concern may have deepened.

“I don’t really know the statistics but I honestly can’t remember the last time a child was kidnapped in Wagga, but that’s not to say it doesn’t happen,” he said.

“People are genuinely worried that something might happen to their children.

“I get it, I’m a parent and I’m honestly worried for my kids all the time, but it’s this helicopter parenting.

“Teach them the safety, teach them safe road skills and then you’ve got to be willing to let them go and make their own mistakes.”