As part of our case study into walking and cycling, we wanted to look at the impact of getting more secondary school students to walk or cycle to school.
The numbers are currently ‘ok’ but should be better. At secondary school age, the freedom and autonomy of cycling/walking to school should be something that is embraced. But what impact could it have on emissions, air quality and the level of cars on the road? Not only that but can it have a positive impact on the mental and physical health of our teenagers?
The scenario-based case study below looks at an 18% rise in students embracing active travel across England to get to and from school.
The elephant in the room when it comes to cars is that we have too many people driving. We haven’t the space or infrastructure to accommodate the level of journeys via car and as such congestion will get worse before getting better.
Let’s dive into the numbers, shall we?
- Introduction
- Reducing Congestion and Environmental Impact
- Case Study: Reducing Traffic at a 2,000-Pupil School
- Health Benefits: Walking 1.5 Miles to School Each Way
- Cognitive Benefits: Enhanced Academic Performance
- Encouraging Independence and Autonomy
- Financial Savings for Families
- Conclusion: The Case for Change
Introduction
In England, approximately 42% of secondary school students currently walk or cycle to school. With 3.41 million students enrolled in state-funded secondary schools, this translates to around 1.43 million students actively commuting daily. However, what if we could increase this figure to 60%? This 18% rise would mean an additional 613,800 students embracing active travel—leading to fewer cars on the road, improved air quality, better health outcomes, and increased independence among young people.
Reducing Congestion and Environmental Impact
Many parents opt to drive their children to school due to convenience, perceived safety concerns, or time constraints. However, school-run traffic contributes significantly to congestion, particularly during peak hours.
While the direct reduction in car usage may be slightly lower than our 613,800 estimate (given that siblings often travel together), even a conservative reduction in vehicles would have a tangible impact on traffic flow and emissions reduction.
- Lower Emissions: Reducing car use leads to fewer CO₂ emissions and decreased air pollution, particularly in urban areas where congestion is most severe. The average petrol car in the UK emits approximately 265 grams of CO₂ per mile. Assuming a typical school journey is 1.5 miles each way, that’s 3 miles daily. Over a five-day school week, this totals 15 miles per student. If 613,800 additional students adopt active commuting, assuming 1.5 students per car, this translates to roughly 409,200 fewer cars on the road. This is a huge reduction in car numbers at critical times of the day; while students can enjoy a better active travel experience due to this reduction.
Over a week, this could reduce emissions by approximately 1,618 metric tons of CO₂. Over a school year (39 weeks), this reduction would amount to 63,102 metric tons of CO₂, significantly cutting the carbon footprint of school commutes. - Improved Air Quality: Reduced vehicle emissions mean lower levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which are linked to respiratory issues in children, including asthma. Studies show that 28,000 to 36,000 deaths a year in the UK could be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution. School hate idling engines are one of the causes of this which can be reduced by more active travel.
Case Study: Reducing Traffic at a 2,000-Pupil School
To account for those who travel via public transport, we estimate that around 30% of students take buses or trains, meaning approximately 600 students are not using private cars. This leaves 1,400 students relying on either private vehicles or active commuting.
| Metric | Before (42% Active Commuters) | After (60% Active Commuters) |
|---|---|---|
| Students Walking/Cycling | 840 | 1,200 |
| Additional Active Commuters | – | 360 |
| Estimated Students Using Public Transport | 600 | 600 |
| Estimated Students in Private Cars | 560 | 200 |
| Cars on the Road (1.5 students per car) | ~373 | ~133 |
| Cars Removed from the Road | – | ~240 |
| CO₂ Emissions Reduction per Week | – | ~9.6 metric tons |
| CO₂ Emissions Reduction per School Year | – | ~374 metric tons |
By shifting an additional 18% of students from private vehicles to active commuting, we reduce the number of cars on the road significantly, leading to lower emissions and reduced congestion while ensuring public transport usage remains stable.
Health Benefits: Walking 1.5 Miles to School Each Way
The daily school commute typically covers 1.5 miles each way, a distance that provides meaningful health benefits:
- Cardiovascular Health: Walking or cycling regularly strengthens the heart and lungs, reducing the risk of future heart disease.
- Weight Management: Walking a total of 3 miles daily equates to 15 miles per week, helping to prevent obesity and maintain a healthy weight.
- Bone Strength: Adolescence is a critical time for bone development, and weight-bearing activities like walking enhance bone density.
- Mental Well-being: Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression—common challenges among teenagers.
Encouraging active travel also combats the sedentary lifestyles that have become prevalent among young people due to increased screen time and reduced physical activity levels.
Cognitive Benefits: Enhanced Academic Performance
Beyond physical health, the mental and cognitive benefits of active travel are profound:
- Enhanced Concentration and Memory: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, improving focus and cognitive function. This can enhance academic performance and overall learning capacity.
- Mood Regulation: Walking or cycling in the morning triggers the release of endorphins and serotonin, natural mood enhancers that help regulate stress levels and emotional well-being.
Higher Academic Performance: A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that morning exercise, including walking, improves attention, visual learning, and decision-making in adolescents. (Source)
Encouraging Independence and Autonomy
Active commuting fosters independence and self-reliance in teenagers. Rather than being passively driven, students who walk or cycle develop key life skills:
- Community Awareness: A study by Natural England found that children’s engagement with their local environment has significantly decreased, with children today having less freedom to explore their neighbourhoods compared to previous generations. (Source) Encouraging walking or cycling to school can help reverse this trend, promoting greater environmental awareness and self-reliance.
Financial Savings for Families
For families, the transition to active school commuting can also result in significant financial savings:
- Reduced Fuel and Maintenance Costs: Decreased reliance on cars lowers petrol consumption and reduces wear and tear, leading to fewer maintenance expenses.
- Potentially Fewer Cars Needed: Many families purchase a second car largely for school drop-offs or for taking their children to clubs. Encouraging walking or cycling could eliminate the need for an additional vehicle, saving thousands of pounds annually.
Conclusion: The Case for Change
Encouraging more students to walk or cycle to school presents a transformative opportunity for individuals, families, and future generations. But this needs to start now as our reliance on cars continues to rise. By increasing the proportion of secondary school students engaging in active travel from 42% to 60%, we can:
- Reduce congestion and lower emissions, improve air quality, and reduce traffic on the road.
- Improve adolescent physical and mental health, tackling sedentary lifestyles and enabling students to become more active on a day-to-day basis.
- Enhance cognitive function and academic performance, preparing students for success. The power of spending time outside and walking on your brain health.
- Deliver financial relief to families, reducing reliance on expensive vehicle-based commutes and car maintenance. It might not be necessary to have two cars, and in some cases, you might be able to reduce it to just one car per household.
Shifting towards a culture where active travel is the norm rather than the exception requires investment in infrastructure, policy support, and a shift in societal attitudes. We should be enablers of our children, allowing them to flourish in an environment where they have the freedom and autonomy to get to school safely and independently without reliance on their parents.
Of course, for those rurally, this may not always be possible, but with public transport, school transport, eBike,s and safe walking routes, it’s more of a reality than we may believe. Technology should be an enabler for children and the benefits of active travel cannot be underestimated.
Note: This is for illustration purposes only, but I hope it highlights the opportunity we have to create a better future for our children. I think the cumulative impact of walking or cycling to school has been diluted, and it’s a discussion we need to have. I hope this analysis further enforces the need for change as currently, the trend is going in the opposite direction.
Photo by Kyle Gregory Devaras on Unsplash
Last Updated on February 5, 2025 by Ryan
Hello. I am Ryan and along with my wife Beth and our two children Matilda and Barney, we love all things cycling and exploring. We spend our weekends exploring fun places to cycle and discover and wanted to help other people do the same too. There’s no better way to travel than via bike and it’s an amazing activity for the whole family to enjoy.