Hmmm, I have no idea on the circumstances behind this, there's not enough data, so I'll just share my personal experience.
When I was six, I saw a kid riding a bike at a company picnic in Boston. My dad asked to borrow the kid's bike, put me on it and held the seat. I had no idea when he let go, but I was out on my own. Wandered around the park and was so proud, I wanted to show my dad. So I turned around and headed back to where he was sitting. He was facing away and unfortunately, I had no idea how to slow down or stop and ran right into his back!
I guess he wasn't amused and gave the kid his bike back. Later that day, I was messing around with a dog under the picnic table, pulling on his whiskers or something and he bit me! Thinking back, I should've bit him back!
So about a year later, we moved to Bren Mar, VA and my dad bought me a 20" kids bike! It was purple and looked really awesome! Made me wear a helmet this time. Again, he held the seat and aimed me down the hill and let go. I think I must've road around for 2-3 hours that day. I remember my dad telling me to stay on the sidewalk and out of the middle of the street. There was also a dirt path next to the street on the way to school, about 5km away. But I'd always walk to school with my girlfriend anyway (after getting a 2nd breakfast from her mom
). I distinctly remember having traction problems with the smooth ribbed tyres when I rode that bike to my piano lessons during the winter, knobbies would've been nice.
When we moved to San Jose, I was about 12 and my dad got me a 24" bike. He took me for a LONG ride, it must've been at least 15km. He showed me how to follow him on the side of the road away from traffic. Told me how to watch the lights and the crossing signs (told me to cross with the pedestrians, just don't run them over). Somehow I never rode that bike much, perhaps because the schoolbus would take me to school and I'd be too busy playing soccer after school to go play anywhere else.
So... I'm not gonna have any problems letting my kid ride anywhere. I'm just going to make sure I teach him how to be safe and deal with traffic and dogs. If I can't trust my kids, then that shows lack of responsibility on my part.