Number of children walking to school declines

Charity Living Streets urged the government to support walk-to-school program to give kids daily exercise.

09:33 21 May 2013

According to charity Living Streets, more and more parents are now driving their kids to school, without even considering walking as an option, even if the school is just one mile away.

Based on the survey conducted by the charity, 36per cent of the 1,000 parents they interviewed said that they drive their kids to school, as they are concerned about fast cars. Other parents cited busy roads and poor walking infrastructure as some of the reasons.

Latest data from the National Travel Survey revealed that the number of primary school children who walk to school is just 49per cent. This is down from 53per cent in 1995. A charity spokesman said that something must be done in order to increase the number to at least 50per cent.

 

Tony Armstrong, Living Streets' chief executive, is reported by the Daily Mail saying: “We hear a lot from the Coalition Government about investment to encourage participation in sport, but it overlooks this very simple and cost effective intervention.

 

“Encouraging the walk to school not only helps to keep children healthy today, but makes for healthier adults in the future.”