Best Foot Forward For Schools - Parents
There are a number of reasons why we should seek alternatives to the school run.
Travel Congestion
The proportion of journeys to school by car has nearly doubled from 16% to 19%.
Many parents are motivated to drive their children to school by the large
numbers of cars on the road.
Ironically if we reduced the school run, there
would be substantially less cars on your child’s route to school.
Source:
Faber Maunsell 2002
Health & Fitness
Reducing the number of cars on our roads will:
- Reduce air pollution that will reduce respiratory complaints including asthma and wheezing.
- Reduce noise pollution caused by road traffic which contributes to sleep disturbances and other stresses
Walking
or cycling to school:
- Reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes in later life
- Helps children control their weight
- Prevents diabetes
- Improves bone health
- Enhances well-being
- Helps social development
- Develops active lifestyles at an early age to encourage the exercise habit
- Improves concentration in class – so say 90% of teachers surveyed across England & Wales!
Responsibility & Independence
Allowing children to walk, cycle or take public transport to school can:
- Increase children’s independence.
- enable parents to be less restrictive, helping children gain self-confidence and learn skills.
- help with personal and social development of children
Formation of travel habits in children.
Allowing children to travel to school by sustainable forms of transport will:
- educate children on road safety and traffic awareness as a pedestrian/cyclists/public transport user
- help avoid the development of travel habits that are bad for their health and the environment. By driving your children to school every day, a habit is formed early and they can become accustomed to using the car for even the shortest journey.
