Published: 7 December 2011
Source: Press Association
Report: Eddie Allen
Cycling was cited as a major aspiration among a generation of young people popularly perceived as being ‘addicted’ to computer games.
A survey commissioned by the Big Lottery Fund found that more than one-third of children would like to move away from computer games and try a wider range of play opportunities. The fund, which hands out almost half of money raised by the National Lottery, found that 87% of children aged between seven and 15 regularly played computer games.
The poll found that more than half (56%) of children currently go cycling and an additional 13% would like to have the opportunity to do so.
Other activities including water-based play, climbing trees and den building were also popular, further debunking the assumption that young people are only interested in sedentary activities such as computing and gaming. Indeed the survey found that only 2% of children said they would like to have the opportunity to play computer games.
The poll came as the fund announced the results of a three year evaluation of its Children's Play programme. It has committed £123 million since 2006 to providing access to good quality play opportunities across England. The programme has dished out 351 grants to local authorities to help them run 1,466 play projects. The evaluation found that 87% of projects led to improved levels of physical activity among children.
Nat Sloane, chair of the fund's England Committee, said: "While there is this perception that the only thing that children today want to do is spend their days glued to a computer screen, the reality is rather different.
"As highlighted by the poll, children want to be more adventurous - they want to climb trees, ride their bikes and build dens.
"And when given the opportunity they embrace it with gusto. Our Children's Play programme is a living proof."
British Cycling has a whole range of ways for young people to get involved in cycling. Go-Ride and Go-Ride Racing offer young people the perfect start in cycle sport. Racemakers is British Cycling’s young volunteers programme, while Sky Ride and Sky Ride Local are perfect ways for families to get into cycling. The Hub is British Cycling’s tailored membership package for young people.
