Citation

Oliver CW, Kelly P, Baker G, du Feu D, Davis A. Br. J. Sports Med. 2019; 53(6): 323-324.

Affiliation

Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2017-098933

PMID

29632124

Abstract

In 1971, a study of children’s travel to and from school focused on five English primary schools. The schools’ locations ranged from inner-urban London to a village primary school (ages 4–11). In 1990, the Policy Studies Institute published a follow-up study with the same schools and added linked secondary schools (ages 11–16). The results were alarming. Independent active travel was declining steeply—on average, a child in 1990 had to be 2.5 years older than in 1971 to be allowed permissions such as to cross local roads and to travel the school journey without an adult. A further study in 2013 reported further significant shrinkage. We are concerned about the effects this will have for Alex and all young people ...

Language: en

Keywords

Cycling; Physical Activity; Sedentary; Walking