Women's Safety in Traffic

Interesting pattern. I ride Hackney-South Ken every day, so my seven year old has (hopefully) a idea that cycling in traffic is safe if you do it properly.
However, I still don't let him cycle on the road (Hackney driving is pretty special) and we have a well-practised drill for stopping and waiting until I yell the all clear before he cycles across a road.
And we are also VERY polite to pedestrians, of course, and say "tahnk you" if they have to step aside. (I stick to the road even if he is on the pavement.)

I also am a fan of cycle training and am even thinking of having a session myself - despite having cycled in traffic for 33 years (yikes) and getting 98% in my cycle proficiency in 1978.

BUT at what point will I feel confident that my child is ready for the roads (or the roads are ready for him)?

Any hints from other parents out there (and I am not trying to turn this into mumsnet, which brings me out in a rash).

There are national guide lines for children riding on the road unaccompanied (11, I think) but ultimately you as parent know YOUR child's maturity and risk assessment better than anyone. Maybe it's worth getting the little one to ride alongside you on the quieter roads getting him/her used to the new view of the road, constantly reiterating rules/ideas- for starters.