Road safety concerns denying children the benefits of walking to school
UK parents are concerned by unsafe speeds (42%) and heavy traffic (34%) on the journey to school, according to new research released for Living Streets’ International Walk to School Month.
Parents who drive their children to school are more likely to be concerned about traffic than those whose children walk/wheel to school (41% compared to 27%).
Parents also noted that a lack of safe crossings (27%) and pavement parking (24%) cause them concerns on the school run. Despite this, parents of children who walk to school say they feel more relaxed and happier (37%) afterwards.
Living Streets is the UK charity behind the biggest walk to school campaign. They are encouraging families to leave the car at home for International Walk to School Month this October with free resources available for use in the classroom and for families, including an Autumn Street Safari.
Throughout October, the charity will be sharing ways to get involved and celebrate the simple difference that walking or wheeling to school can make.
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive at Living Streets, said:
“As the days get shorter and darker, road safety is more important than ever. It is disheartening that so many parents are concerned by traffic, unsafe speeds and pavement parking. By walking to school, families can be part of the solution by helping take cars off the road at busy times.
“I hope that more families feel inspired to leave the car at home this International Walk to School Month and enjoy the benefits of regular exercise. It's a great time to talk or play games and watch the changing seasons as we engage with our local community."
Living Streets runs WOW – the walk to school challenge in schools across the UK. WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle or scoot to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge.
WOW schools typically see 58 per cent fewer car journeys to the school gates and 18 per cent more journeys walking and wheeling all the way to school.
Nationally in England, 45 per cent of 5–10-year-olds are driven to school. Active Travel England is supporting more families to choose healthier and cleaner ways to travel to school by funding Living Streets’ Walk to School Outreach programme. Last academic year, 81 per cent of journeys logged on Living Streets’ WOW Travel Tracker by participating WTSO schools were active journeys.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said:
"These findings show why so many parents choose to drive their children to school, even when they'd rather not. Nobody should feel that the only safe option is to sit in traffic.
“The good news is we know what works: lower speeds, safer crossings and clear pavements make a real difference, and that’s why ATE is working with councils to build quality infrastructure that ensures everyone is safer when walking, wheeling and cycling.
“We’re also very supportive of Living Streets' WOW programme, which will give more families the confidence they need to make walking or wheeling to school the easy choice. This October, I'd encourage every family who can to give it a go and feel the benefit for themselves."
Living Streets campaigns for safer streets, so more families feel confident walking and wheeling to school. In recent years, campaign successes have included the roll-out of 20mph speed limits in residential areas in Wales, and the banning of pavement parking in Scotland.
The new data suggests this is having a positive impact, with only 26 per cent of parents in Wales being concerned by speeding vehicles compared to the UK average of 42 per cent. And in Scotland, just 16 per cent of parents said pavement parking was a concern, compared to almost a quarter (24%) of UK parents.
UEFA Vice President and ex-Wales football captain, Professor Laura McAllister, is taking part in International Walk to School Month with her daughters. She said:
"International Walk to School Month is a great opportunity for families to enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise in the morning. Moving our bodies can boost our mental and physical health and walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school helps us slow down and spend quality time together.
“Leaving the car at home – or choosing to Park and Stride where parents or carers park the car and walk or wheel for the last ten minutes of the journey – is a simple way to get some exercise, ease congestion and reduce pollution bear the school gates.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport Stephen Flynn said:
“A safe and pleasant journey to school is what parents and carers the world over want for children – to see them arrive happy, switched on, and ready for the day ahead.
“That’s what walking to school means for so many kids, creating memories with friends and family and offering a chance to play and connect.
“That’s a pretty universal experience, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing in Scotland to make it possible for more young people, through supporting Living Streets and other active travel organisations, delivering safer routes to school, and encouraging all of us to walk where we can.”
For more information about WOW, visit livingstreets.org.uk/WOW
About the author
Sarah Philpott
Communications Coordinator, Living Streets / [email protected]