I know this sounds scary to most, but I was doing local hitchhiking to go fishing, or bring our bikes up Mt Tam, starting at 7-8 yrs old. I walked, rode a bike, or took the bus everywhere else.

My parents rarely took me anywhere that didn't involve them. And I was always told to be home when the streetlights came on.

I too am very grateful that I was raised way in the 70's.