I grew up in a small market town in England where cycling was pretty normal, the cycling club was very big, and the owner of the established bike shop was a town councilor.
We were taught cycling profficiancy at school which was how to ride sensibly on the road.
From the age of 10 I used my bike for independant travel, riding to school, shops, friends, swimming pool. I rode to cub scouts every week on Tuesday evenings, summer and winter. I didnt wear a helmet, but I did use lights.