Reply #56: I grew up in small towns. At the age of eight, I would ride my bike two miles to meet a friend

[blondeatlast]

play by the creek and in the wide open spaces. My mom was working outside the home and my older sister was fine with it.

We now live almost in the country and I let the kid ride his bike and walk freely--but public transit (which runs out here), no way on his own. With friends I probably would however.