The Influence of the Physical Environment and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Children’s Mode of Travel to and From School

This study examines the socio-demographic and environmental influences on a child’s mode of travel between home and school in a mid-sized Canadian city.

  • Results show that 62% of students living within 1.6 km of their school used active travel to get to school in the morning, with 95% of the group walking.
  • Active travel is nearly 10% higher on the way home from school.
  • Analysis reveals that the distance between home and school is the most important factor in determining whether a child used active transport to get to school.
  • Socio-demographic analysis reveals that boys are 1.5 more times more likely to use active transport than are girls.
  • The findings of this study support the impact that school siting has on active travel to and from school.

Larsen, Kristian, Gilliland, Jason, Hess, Paul, Tucker, Patrick, Irwin, Jennifer and He, Meizi. “The Influence of the Physical Environment and Sociodemographic Characteristics on Children’s Mode of Travel to and From School.” American Public Health Association. 99.3 (2009): 520-526.

filed under