"Everyone drives, right?" Part 4: the school run

Remember “the school run” is more likely to be conducted by women - so safe school walking, scooting & cycling routes is an equalities issue.

Despite a small proportion of driving, the ‘school run’ can be c25% of ALL traffic. A more sustainable school run helps everyone!

How do Edinburgh kids get to school?

• Most walk and more scoot & cycle than the Scottish average

• 60%+ kids at independent schools are driven for some/all of school run: distance & wealth likely factors

• taxi/bus understandably features heavily for SEN pupils

Does the data change as kids get older?

In short yes!

As they get more independent older they are driven less and walk & use buses more, despite increase in distance with larger catchments.

• Secondary kids cycle less and won’t be seen dead on a scooter!

• The majority of every age group walk or use active travel.

What are the trends?

Largely it's pretty static!

• No significant movement since 2008. Hardly surprising as there haven't been many big interventions?

• Direct car use has dropped, slightly, but been replaced with park & stride - better but not great bus use dropping

• Will this be arrested by free bus travel

Data source: Hands Up Scotland survey. Note: very large & consistent samples so this data is solid - 455k kids across Scotland took part. Scottish results below.

End.