In the UK our growing use of cars is causing a variety of environmental, social and health impacts. Some are highly visible and directly relevant to everyday life: accident statistics show that our roads are dangerous, while traffic congestion has adverse effects on our health and wellbeing. Other impacts are less immediately obvious but no less important. For example, the gases and chemicals released by engines make a large contribution to global warming and air pollution.
The more we use our cars, the more our air becomes polluted. Exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds and particulates, all of which are harmful to health when released into the atmosphere. Soot particles cause lung damage, especially when they contain chemicals such as benzine.
Increasing amounts of urban traffic - partly caused by greater distances between home and places of work - have created more fear of traffic. Because people feel less vulnerable driving compared with walking or cycling, more and more trips are being made by car. The resulting lack of exercise can cause problems for health and overall fitness.
Young children today have far less freedom than their parents had at the same age. Fear of traffic and stranger danger, combined with the overall increase in general car use and ownership, are leading to an increasing number of parents taking their children to school in the car. This has a number of consequences for pupils and staff, particularly in terms of pupil health and wellbeing.
Walking and cycling are excellent forms of physical activity and the journey to school can make an important contribution to increasing these activity levels. Patterns of activity are set in early childhood, so early lack of exercise can lead to a higher risk of future obesity, high blood pressure, poor psychological wellbeing and coronary heart disease. Walking and cycling can help children to gain confidence and make friends, helping both to increase independence and traffic sense. Current research also suggests that more active children arrive at school more alert and focused and achieve better academic results.
YoungTransNet surveys show that many young people would like to travel in a more sustainable way, with 30% of them saying they would like to cycle to school. Statistics from the Department of Transport, however, show that currently only 1% of them do. Surveys also show that over half of all primary pupils live within a mile of their school, yet one-third are driven there.
Safe Routes to Schools (SRS) projects, run by the national organisation Sustrans, are a good way for pupils to consider alternative forms of travel and help improve access to the school for walkers and cyclists. The projects encourage and enable children to walk and cycle to school through a combined package of practical and educational measures.
They also:
SRS projects are child-centred. They build on small steps to raise awareness and change travel behaviour and benefit the whole local community by helping to create safer, more healthy environments.
National Curriculum Links with transport can be made to English, Maths, ICT, Science, Design & Technology Art and Design as well as to the literacy and numeracy strategies. The Geography curriculum makes specific reference to road traffic, road safety and sustainability.
Each school is different, with its own local problems and possible solutions. Developing a school travel plan can help ensure the complete situation is considered and that appropriate action is taken. All local authorities have Local Transport Plan funding for Safe Routes to Schools, road safety training and education campaigns. There will also be a local school travel advisor who can offer help and guidance.