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But in many American suburbs, car is the only feasible way to get somewhere. So unless the 12-year-olds are driving, it's got to be the parents.

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True, the suburbs explain some of it. However, I've been told it would be a big no-no to let your 8 year old play in the park a few blocks away without supervision. Parents who do so are apparently considered irresponsible.

Do note my source is only a single colleague from CA, could of course be an exception..

Not bicycles? Children riding bikes round their neighbourhood is a common sight in American films/TV, the most obvious example is Bart and Lisa Simpson.

I think it depends a lot where you live, and whether it's urban, suburban, or rural.

My kid could definitely bike to school when she gets older. But to get to, say, her gymnastics class, it's 8 miles through heavy traffic with only occasional bike lanes. (In the dark in the rain, at this time of year.)

Kids in rural areas of the Netherlands do bike 8 miles to school, but to do that only for a gym class is probably too much.

And the traffic situation is much more tailored towards bikes compared to most other countries.

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