My daughter is 9 and is asking if I'll let her ride her bike to her grandparents. It's only a 5 minute bike ride away but it involves crossing 2 busy roads and I'm terrified.
I've no idea how old she should be before going out on her own. She's never played out in the street and, although incredibly bright, she doesn't have he street smarts yet
Shielding someone completely from danger is not great. But I understand as a parent the risk and worry of something happening. I'm glad I grew up playing with fire and swimming in lakes etc. But I did grow up in a village. So no danger.