Arabic version: «أولاد الدراجات» في رينمارك يجدون الحرية بعيداً عن الشاشات

According to ABC News, groups of children known locally as the “bike boys” are regularly riding pushbikes through Renmark in South Australia’s Riverland after school and on weekends. Eleven-year-old friends Jude Clark and Christos Babaniotis are among the riders, with the groups including children aged from 10 to 16.

The boys gather when they find each other in different parts of town, then ride together. Jude said cycling helped him meet people he had not really seen before, while Christos said there was little serious rivalry between groups. Claims about being better at wheelies were about as far as the competition went.

Jude’s parents, Daniel and Nicole Clark, initially hesitated before allowing him to spend hours riding with friends. Nicole Clark said Jude repeatedly asked to go because his mates were riding. She said their home now often has seven or eight children playing basketball in the driveway, with bikes scattered around.

The Clarks said the freedom has helped Jude gain confidence and social skills. Nicole Clark said he had once been reluctant to enter shops by himself, but now manages a small amount of money during outings and makes decisions independently. Daniel Clark said the family wanted their children to build resilience and leadership while spending less time on screens.

Cyber psychology researcher Jocelyn Brewer said many young children were still dealing with the effects of social isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic. She supported a balanced approach to screen time and said young boys benefit from being active, taking mediated risks and exploring their environment, as well as building conversation and communication skills. The Clarks said Renmark’s close-knit community gives them confidence in the boys’ safety, although Christos made clear that parents are not invited to join the rides.