School travel modes in Brisbane

This study investigates school travel from four schools in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Documented evidence reveals that far fewer children are cycling or walking to school than in previous generations, and that more and more are being driven to school by car. This shift in travel behaviour is claimed to be contributing to declining levels of physical activity in children, and the associated detrimental effects on health. Regular cycling or walking to school is held up as providing an important opportunity for children to stay active. In this study, links between school travel modes and the built environment are investigated. The study additionally investigates the role that parents play in determining the mode their children travel by. Results show that the majority of students travelled by car both to and from school. Further analysis was able to demonstrate that schools in different locations have different travel patterns, with two schools in suburban areas having higher percentages of car travel, compared to schools in the inner city and in a master planned development. However, despite the influence of the built environment, the most common reasons for car use related to parental safety concerns.

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Pagination: 23p
  • Serial:
    • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01387389
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: ARRB
  • ISBN: 1920952373
  • Files: ATRI
  • Created Date: Aug 22 2012 10:23PM