Active travel to school: views of 10-13 year old schoolchildren in Scotland
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the views of Scottish schoolchildren on active travel to school and their ideas about promotion strategies for school-based interventions. Design/methodology/approach: Focus group discussions were conducted with 66 students from four primary and three secondary schools. Findings: The most common perceived barriers to active school travel were personal safety, weather conditions and time/distance. To a lesser extent, image, physical discomfort and aspects of the physical environment also prevented children from walking or cycling to school. Perceived benefits centred on health and fitness, environmental and social factors. Enjoyment, confidence and social influences were all discussed, with the latter appearing to have the most significant impact on active travel behaviour. Students suggested a number of potential promotion strategies, including incentives and reward schemes to enhance motivation. Practical exercises such as a group walk or cycle were more popular than classroom-based activities. Research limitations/implications: Findings are limited to Scottish schoolchildren aged 10-13 in rural and semi-rural locations. Further research covering younger and older children, as well as more urban locations will broaden understanding of the impact of age and geographical location. Practical applications: The findings identify a number of influences on active travel behaviour among young people. Advancing understanding of determinants of context-specific physical activity is important for the development of effective interventions. Originality/value: This paper draws on students' own ideas about the ways in which active travel should be promoted and, as such, has important implications for the development of appropriate and acceptable school-based active travel programmes.
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Role modelling was highlighted as an important teacher behaviour.
“Role modelling 39, 48, 50, 55, 56 was also highlighted as an important teacher behaviour.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [48]
In another study, participants emphasized the need for cycle proficiency training and reward/incentive policies for students to promote active travel.
“In another study, participants emphasized the need for cycle proficiency training and reward/incentive policies for students to promote active travel 48.”
From The school environment and adolescent physical activity and sedentary behaviour: a mixed-studies systematic review (2016) · cites this paper as [48]
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- Authors
- Kirby, J., & Inchley, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Edinburgh (GB)
- Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Venue
- Health Education
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2009-02-20
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 169-183
- ISSN
- 0965-4283 (ISSN-L)
- 1758-714X
- OpenAlex
- W2003260482
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 5.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Health Education (publishedVersion)
- ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (submittedVersion)
- Warwick Research Archive Portal (University of Warwick) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › School Health and Nursing Education
- Keywords
- active travel to school, elementary school students, children's perceptions, perceived safety, promotion strategy, school-based intervention, physical activity promotion
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