Now fewer children than ever are walking to school

THE proportion of pupils walking to school has fallen to a record low.

The latest survey of school travel indicates a decline in children using ‘active’ ways to get to class, despite the number cycling reaching record levels.

A total of 48.8 per cent of pupils used ‘active travel’ including walking, cycling, scooting and skating to school last year, falling from 51.8 per cent in 2008, the Hands Up For Scotland survey shows.

Although those cycling rose from 2.8 per cent in 2008 to a record high of 3.7 per cent in 2017, those walking fell from 48.3 per cent in 2008 to 42.3 per cent in 2017.

Meanwhile, the proportion of children driven to school rose slightly, from 22 per cent in 2008 to 22.8 per cent last year, and the number being driven part of the way then walking the rest, known as ‘park and stride’, rose from 6.1 per cent to 9.7 per cent in that time.

John Lauder, national director of walking and cycle route charity Sustrans Scotland, said: ‘By encouraging young people to travel actively for their journey to

‘Develop healthier travel habits’

school, we can ensure Scotland’s children develop healthier travel habits that will be continued later in life.’

The survey registered the highest ever number of participants – 515,005 across nursery, primary, secondary, independent and special educational needs schools.

The drop in the numbers walking to school has led to calls for local authorities to invest in infrastructure.

Stuart Hay, director of walking charity Living Streets Scotland, said: ‘This decline is the result of factors, including parents being concerned about safety around the school gates. All local authorities need to be investing in projects which promote the benefits of walking.’

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘We work with local authorities and wider partners to encourage walking and cycling for travelling to school.

‘The doubling of the active travel budget for 2018-2019 from £39million to £80million has created an opportunity to realise our ambition to build an Active Nation.’