Children spend nearly 50% longer in the car than their parents’ generation

New research from charity Sustrans reveals that on average primary school children who are driven to school spend 45% longer stuck in the car than their parents’ generation.

As children have headed back to school this week, the charity has revealed that children in England now spend 26 hours a year being driven to school compared to 18 hours just 20 years ago.

The average primary school journey is 1.6 miles - just a short 15 minute cycle or 25 minute walk.

In addition to an increase in time spent in the car, data shows the number of primary school children being driven to school has increased from 40% in 1995/97 to 46% now.

With 42% of children getting less than half the recommended hour of physical activity a day, the journey to school represents an important opportunity to be active.

Road safety concerns mean many families feel unsafe walking and cycling to school, with a recent poll revealing that parents would be more likely to allow their children to walk and cycle to school if there were more dedicated walking and cycling routes and safer crossings.

Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive at Sustrans, said: “It’s a sad reflection on our times that children are increasingly cooped up in a car, rather than getting outside and walking, cycling or scooting to school.

“While it is not possible for everyone to walk or cycle to school many families would prefer to not take the car but feel threatened by speeding traffic and dangerous roads.

“It’s wrong that so many children are being denied a safe and healthy journey to school, especially when physical inactivity is placing such an incredible burden on our health system.

“We urgently need the government to make dedicated funding available, commit to lower traffic speeds, and transform local walking and cycling routes.”

Sustrans has released the first of three online videos, to highlight the issue of children being increasingly driven to school. Watch it here –http://youtu.be/84xylZUEuR8

Sustrans’ Campaign for Safer Streets is urging people to email their MP to demand every child has a safe journey to school. Visitwww.sustrans.org.uk/safetoschool.