Let’s Make Walk to School Week a Success in Scotland

Find out why it’s time to ditch your car and walk to school with your children instead. A two-minute read.

• It’s a great way to boost children’s activity levels (bear in mind that only 45% of children and young people exercise for the recommended one hour a day*).
• Starting the day with a dose of fresh air gets the endorphins (feel-good emotions) going and increases alertness.
• It’s an excellent opportunity to have a little one-on-one time with your child and natter about whatever is on their mind.
• According to Unicef, in 71% of UK towns and cities, children breathe in unsafe levels of air pollution (which is linked to an increased risk of asthma and respiratory problems). Reducing cars on local streets will mean cleaner air.
• The roads around schools are often chock-a-block at peak times, with some parents also failing to adhere to road rules and parking irresponsibly. Fewer cars mean less stress and less dodgy driver aggression.
• A Living Streets study found that 87% of parents with primary school-aged children have had to step into the carriageway because of vehicles parked on the pavement while on the school run. This poses serious safety and accessibility issues.