Parents asked to ditch car for the school run
Parents are being urged to ditch their cars when the school run returns next week.
Major health promotion organisations have teamed up with Scottish Active Travel groups to ask parents to rethink the school run as pupils return to classrooms after a five-month absence.
Groups like Sustrans, Cycling Scotland, the British Lung Foundation Scotland and the Royal College for Paediatrics & Child Health Scotland are all behind the pitch to make journeys to school both more eco-friendly and more physically beneficial.
Sustrans Scotland head of behaviour change Lynn Stocks said:“Over the past five months, many children have learned to ride bikes while many people have discovered their local area on foot.
“After months of break from routine, the journey to school is a chance to get a bit of regular daily exercise for both children and their guardians.
“And, for parents who may still be working from home, the walk/cycle to school and back offers a chance to start the working day with some exercise.
“Our streets cannot afford more congestion and air pollution and our children cannot afford more inactivity after months of home schooling.
“This is a chance to make a positive change to the way our children travel to school, to make it safer and healthier for everyone.
“We’re urging families to leave the car and make the school run fun with walking, cycling and scootering.”
Joseph Carter, head of British Lung Foundation Scotland, added:“We welcome the call for more active travel on the commute to school in Scotland.
“In our recent survey we found 73 per cent of people agree that schools in Scotland should have more power to reduce the number of cars outside its gates.
“Not only is active travel great for keeping our children fit and healthy, but the reducing car travel and idling near school grounds would greatly reduce children’s exposure to pollution that could cause conditions like asthma.”