Living Streets Scotland, part of 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 Scotland, 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.
Over 160 primary schools in Scotland take part in WOW, which 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 (41 per cent) of primary school children in Scotland walk to school, but that is not the case in schools taking part in WOW with Living Streets. Pupils in WOW schools are 5 to 9 per cent more likely to walk or wheel to school than those in non-WOW schools.
Active travel levels including walking or wheeling, cycling, scooter, skateboard, and Park and Stride go up by 12 to 20 percentage points.
Walking to school helps contribute to the 60 active minutes a day recommended by health experts to keep children healthy and happy. Similarly, parents and carers accompanying them benefit from reduced risk of long-term chronic health conditions such as certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
The Scottish Government funds some schools in Scotland to take part in WOW – the walk to school challenge.
Adventure cyclist 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.”
Catherine Woodhead, Chief Executive, Living Streets, said:
“International Walk to School Month is a great opportunity for families to give walking to school a go. 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 Scotland’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.”
For more information about WOW and how to get the scheme in your school, visit https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/