Long Term Monitoring of Health Inequalities: Headline Indicators – October 2015

Child active travel to school

Indicator Source: Transport Scotland (Transport & Travel in Scotland)

Latest Results

• In 2015, 50% of school aged children travelled to school by walking or cycling.
• This proportion has fluctuated between 50% and 56% since 2000, with no clear trend.

Figure 17: Proportion of school aged children walking or cycling to school, 2000-2015

About This Indicator

Desired Outcome:

Promotion of active travel.

Relevant Route Map action:

Deliver cycle action plan.

Indicator Source:

Transport Scotland: Transport & Travel in Scotland bulletin.

Pupils in full-time education at school usual method to travel to school.

Geography available:

National, Local Authority.

Equalities data:

Breakdowns by gender, age and disability possible.

Rationale for including this indicator:

This indicator relates to Route Map actions relating to encouraging opportunities for physical activity and sport including safer routes to schools.

Low level of evidence exists in literature for the effectiveness of active travel incentives and facilities with a moderate rating for potential population effectiveness. The ScotPHN engagement process for the Route Map assessed the action as having medium impact with medium to high effort.

Factors influencing this indicator:

• Availability of safe routes to schools.