Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
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.
I think this is a very important part of what is missing here. My parents taught me how to ride and ride safely, often riding their tandem with my brother and me falling in behind. I wonder if the OP's parents ride, from the gist of what I am getting, I would guess that they don't. I couldn't see any parents who were/are cyclists not letting their kid ride, even to school..
Just a thought.
Cheers,
Brian