Children in Scotland want to see improved streets for walking, wheeling and cycling, according to our first ever Children’s Walking and Cycling Index Scotland report.
The national report reveals that 84% of children in Scotland would like more traffic-free paths and quiet routes for walking and cycling.
Meanwhile 77% of children support the creation of more segregated cycle paths along roads separated from cars.
The report was launched at Craigdhu Primary School in Milngavie,East Dunbartonshire, where pupils were getting active on their way to school as part of the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel.
The Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:
“I welcome this report which demonstrates the overwhelming support for safer walking, wheeling and cycling paths that children in Scotland are asking for.
“When we build active travel infrastructure, we are doing so not just for today, but for tomorrow, ensuring our young people can build and then maintain sustainable transport options into later life.
“Other countries are ahead of us in that journey, however, we are investing substantially – and in 2023-24 alone, infrastructure funding helped deliver more than 115km of new and upgraded active travel routes across Scotland.
“In 2025-26, the Scottish Government will invest over £188 million in active and sustainable transport, and in doing so, with local authority partners, we are responding to the clear ask from our young people for safer routes to schools and beyond.”
Reinforcing the need for safer routes, the report shows that children across Scotland rely on active travel.
More than half of their trips are made by walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling.
Children also want to travel actively more often. Almost half (48%) want to cycle more, almost a third (31%) want to walk or wheel more, and almost a quarter (23%) want to be driven less.
Despite children’s enthusiasm for active travel, only 25% think the government is doing enough to give them a say in improving their neighbourhood and country.
Dr Lee Muir, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Business Development at Sustrans Scotland (pictured), said:
“This report tells us we already have a captive audience – children want to travel actively. And in particular, they want to cycle more. But they don’t feel like they have enough say in the changes being made in their local area. Designing routes and places which give our young people safe, independent, and healthy choices for getting from A to B benefits everyone. We need to ensure their voices are heard.”
(Pic: Sustrans Scotland)
