Why Active Travel?
Health benefits
By walking or cycling to school every day your child will be healthier, happier
and ready to learn. Importantly, it also reduces their risk of childhood obesity
now and heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis in later years.
Did you know?
Present day school children are expected to be the first generation to have a lower
life expectancy than their parents
72% of parents estimate their children are taking the recommended 60 minutes of exercise
a day, whilst in reality only 13% do.
Social benefits
As well as the health and fitness benefits active travel to school is also great
fun. It gives your kids the opportunity to spend time with their friends, boost
their mood and brain and develop a real sense of freedom and independence.
Did you know?
9 out of 10 teachers surveyed in a Department for Transport survey found that the
walk to school made children brighter, more alert and ready for the first class
of the day
31% of children want to cycle to school yet only 1% do
Development of Road Safety skills
Children also develop key road safety skills for life and with less cars on the
road at peak times you can help reduce congestion and pollution.
Did you know?
People travelling by car can be exposed to levels of pollution twice as high as pedestrians
and cyclists
Less busy roads will give us safer and quieter streets