Fife Councillor and pupils take great strides for active travel 

Councillor David Barratt (Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay) met pupils from Dalgety Bay Primary School in Fife this morning (Monday 22 January) to find out how ‘Park and Stride’ can make walking to school an easier option.

Over 150 schools in Scotland take part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking. The challenge rewards children who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school with pupils recording their active journeys using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker.

Thanks to the local church, Dalgety Primary School can now use its car park as a Park and Stride spot. If families need to drive, they can park a ten-minute walk from school and complete their journey on foot. This reduces traffic, congestion and road danger around the school gates whilst allowing children the chance to get active for the last part of their journey.

Councillor David Barratt said:

“Wow! What a fantastic idea. Promoting active travel isn't always easy, but this approach adds convenience for parents and carers, and will have an immediate impact on the usual traffic chaos, which I know neighbouring residents will welcome. What's not to love?”

Chris Thompson, Project Manager at Living Streets Scotland, said:     

“I’m so glad that Councillor Barratt could join us this morning to learn about the different ways we can walk to school. WOW is a fun and accessible way to help children meet the recommended 60 minutes of exercise per day – and Park and Stride makes it easier for some families to enjoy the benefits of walking.

“Pupils at Dalgety Bay Primary School have made great strides with their active journeys this year – well done!”

In Scotland, WOW schools see on average a 5-10 per cent increase in pupils walking to school with a corresponding drop in car use, helping to reduce congestion and increase safety outside the school gates. 

Councillor David Barratt with Living Streets' mascot Strider outside Dalgety Primary School

Pupils from Dalgety Primary School with Living Streets' mascot Strider