I was a kid in the 90s, and I had similar upbringing. Although I got to school using a bus up until highschool, I was generally allowed to roam around outside as much as I wanted, and most of my close friends had the same liberties. I have fond memories of dragging my friends into the woods for adventures, catching lizards and picking berries. I'm happy I wasn't a victim of the "it's too dangerous to let children be alone outside" approach to parenting that seems to be getting more and more popular, and I lament the lack of freedom many children have these days.