Children take to their feet this International Walk to School Month

Living Streets, the UK charity behind the biggest walk to school campaign is encouraging families to leave the car at home for International Walk to School Month this October.  

Pupils around the globe will walk to school to celebrate International Walk to School Month. In the UK, children in certain schools are enjoying the benefits of active travel year-round because they take part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets.

WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot to school being awarded a monthly WOW badge. Pupils can also earn a badge by using ‘Park and Stride’, parking at least 10 minutes from their school and walking the rest of the way.

The latest national data shows that less than half of primary school children in England walk to school, but that is not the case in schools taking part in WOW with Living Streets.

New analysis of WOW Travel Tracker data shows that WOW schools in England typically see an increase in walking and wheeling rates of 17 per cent with 60 per cent fewer cars driving to the school gates compared to before the schools started WOW.   

Walking to school helps contribute to the 60 active minutes a day recommended by health experts to keep children healthy and happy. Similarly, parents/carers accompanying them benefit from reduced risk of long-term chronic health conditions such as certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. 

Active Travel England funds some schools in England to take part in WOW through Living Streets’ Walk to School Outreach programme.

Chris Boardman CBE, is the National Active Travel Commissioner. He said: 

“The majority of kids have told us they want to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school – it's what they want, and it’s what we want for them. International Walk to School Month offers us an opportunity to try travelling differently, and if it sticks, we can give a new generation the transport independence they deserve.

“I encourage all parents and pupils to give it a go to help reduce congestion around the school gates and kickstart the greener, healthier school run we need.”

Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets, said: 

“International Walk to School Month is a great opportunity for families to try walking to school. We hope that the benefits they experience will see them choosing to walk or wheel more all year-round.

“Recent National Travel Survey data revealed that over a fifth (22 per cent) of parents of children who do not currently walk to school said that safer roads would encourage them to walk to school more often. Nearly one in ten (9 per cent) said more safer crossing points would help them choose to walk more. 

“We’re campaigning to make Britain’s streets child friendly by tackling deterrents like pavement parking and dangerous crossings. But we need support to be able to continue this work. Visit our website to donate to our urgent appeal and help secure a future where streets work for everyone.”

In Wales, 47 per cent of primary school children walk to school. New analysis of WOW Travel Tracker data shows that the number of cars driving to the school gates more than halved (56 per cent) in WOW schools in Wales and walking and wheeling rates went up by almost a third (29 per cent) compared to before the schools started WOW. The Welsh Government funds 170 schools in Wales to take part in WOW.  

UEFA Vice President and ex-Wales football captain, Professor Laura McAllister, is taking part in International Walk to School Month with her daughters who go to a WOW school. She said:

“I’ll be walking with my girls to school this October, it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time together and I always feel more awake after getting some fresh air.

“I’m passionate about the power of exercise – as an athlete I know being active can transform children’s mental and physical health. Walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school gives children a chance to let off steam and prepares pupils for a day of learning. If you don’t live close to your school, parking a little further away and walking the rest can still help ease congestion around the school gates.”

And in Scotland, the latest national data shows that less than half (41 per cent) of primary school children walk to school, but again that is not the case in school taking part in WOW with Living Streets. Sustained participation in WOW is associated with a walk/wheel mode share between five and nine percentage points more than for non-WOW schools. Active travel levels including walking or wheeling, cycling, scooter, skateboard, and Park and Stride are 12 to 20 percentage points. Some schools in Scotland are funded to take part in WOW by Transport Scotland and our local authority partners. 

Former professional mountain bike rider and former Active Nation Commissioner for Scotland, Lee Craigie, said:

“Walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school is good for children’s physical and mental health, prepares children for a day of learning and lets them enjoy quality time with friends or family. If you don’t live close to your school, parking a little further away and walking the rest can still help reduce congestion around the school gates.

“The school run alone is responsible for generating half a million tonnes of CO2 per year, so getting more pupils walking to school also helps reduce air pollution and protect our environment.”

This year, Living Streets is encouraging children and their families/carers to go on an Autumn Street Safari, with prizes being generously supplied by shoezone. Click below to find out more and enter the prize draw to win one of 10 £25 shoezone vouchers.