Parents who rode their bikes further afield than their own street when they were young are too afraid to allow their children the same freedoms, the study for Cycling England found.

Most of today's parents began cycling on the roads when they were 10, but do not allow their children to do the same until they are 12.

While one in three parents (35%) were allowed to cycle to school, only one in five (18%) ever allow their children to do the same.

Just 4% of children cycle to school regularly, the poll, to coincide with Bike to School Week, found.

More than three quarters of parents (81%) ban their children from cycling independently, or limit their children's cycling to their own road.

More than a quarter of children (29%) are only allowed to cycle with adult supervision.

And while three quarters of children (75%) are allowed to cycle for recreation at the weekend or after school, only one in five (19%) are allowed to use their bike to get from A to B during the week.

More than half of parents (56%) used their bike as regular transport when they were school age.

Two thirds of parents (64%) said their children did not have the confidence and skills to ride on the road, but just over half said cycle training would make them feel more reassured.