Walking the walk so others can talk

Today is a very interesting day to be reading this:

Parents who park near schools may be fined

Every school day, rain or shine (barring monsoons), I walk the boys to school. I do it because we are relatively near, it gives us a chance to chat... and I enjoy the exercise. Where possible, and time permitting, I also meet them at the end of the school day to stroll back.

But today, despite clement weather, we are going by car.

Why? Because they are going on trip, and I am afraid I don't see how to get them, much earlier, to school to meet the coach along with a suitcase and ruscksack apiece.

It's not practical. Just as it is not practical for some others to do it daily. And the BBC blonde and bouffant (and reporter - I just heard him tell us what his cabby said en route to the story!) seemed to feel it would not be for them. While it is for our kids. As to safety, kids are to be 'trained'. And doubtless there is a nice little extra group who can be hired to act as councilors to those who have suffered a loss those another group has be tasked to 'encourage':

Parents could face fines...

Powers come into force...

...all councils will have to collect information...

...every authority will have to develop school "travel plans" to meet tough targets...

The theory is sound. Typically the practices is being managed cack-handedly with breath-taking hypocrisy and a stunning simplistic dismissal of the dangers posed by kids being forced onto busy roads. As I wrote to the BBC just now:

Interesting that the presenters today on kids' cycling did not feel the piece they carried applied to them in any way.

I just loved the reporter mentioning his cabbie's views en route to the story. Irony anyone?

I know it's probably 'just not practical', but if we are to trot out official propaganda (in some papers backed, it seems, by fines!) it should be shown for the latest half-considered nonsense it is.

How can something be deemed OK to apply for kids daily but not media workers? More media churn with no analysis or real critique.

BBC - Cycling tests return to schools

'Children are taught the kind of observation, road positioning and defensive driving tactics that new motorists learn.' - Without the ton of metal to protect them if it all goes pear shaped.