I think there has been a shift in values and modes of entertainment. My parents had the great foresight to ban television from our house when I was born. We grew up on books and music for entertainment. To me and my siblings a bicycle was a way of freedom, it got us to the corner store, friends houses, the public library, school and the like. We had very few organized activities outside of church and the scouts. My parents only had one vehicle and it was parked most of the time.

Today the bulk of parents drive their kids everywhere, quite often because of where they chose to live. We didn't have game boys, X-box, Wii or whatever the game machine of the week is. We also had paper routes, the ability to work delivering groceries, and mowing lawns. All of these jobs have gone to adults. I have done what I can to instill a love of cycling and the outdoors in my children. It must have worked...sort of... Both of my children (now masquerading as responsible adults) have a love for the outdoors, my son is living car free in Leeds, England and looking for a bicycle to get around on. He loves the larger city life and the availability of mass transit. Daughter is a Recreation Therapy major with one year left in school, her bike and her Kayak each cost more than her car So I guess dear old dad hasn't done too bad.

Aaron