Active travel

Children’s active travel involves modes of transport which require physical activity. This may include walking, cycling, riding a scooter or a skateboard. It can be included as part of transport to any destination. For children, active travel to school is the most common.

Active travel has many great health benefits including:

  • encouraging children to be active and take less sedentary transport
  • improvements in concentration for the first few hours of school
  • improvements in self-esteem
  • increased independence as they get older.

Did you know?

Children who cycle or walk to school experience improved concentration levels in class for up to 4 hours after the activity.

Tips to increase active travel:

Plan safe routes with your children

It's important to make sure that you and your children are aware of the safest and most direct routes to school. This knowledge can help your child feel more confident when using active transport.

If routes to and from school are not safe, speak with your child's school or a local Road Safety Education Officer to advocate for safer routes.

Start small

Set a goal that will be achievable for you and your child. For example, pick one day of the week that suits the family to increase active travel on the way to work and school. Some great initiatives that many schools encourage is Walk or wheel, once a week and a Walking school bus.

Every bit of movement helps your child’s growth and development.

Take public transport more frequently

When children aren’t being dropped off directly at the school gate, they naturally increase their active travel. Children get extra daily steps at the start and end of a trip as they walk to and from bus stops or stations.

Park and walk

Not every child will be able to walk or ride directly from home to school. Find what is manageable for you as a family.

To increase your child’s movement throughout the day, consider:

  • leaving home earlier
  • parking a block further away
  • walk the extra 5-10 minutes to your child's school.

Doing this a couple of times a week can be a great opportunity to bond with your child while also getting more movement throughout the day.

If this option isn't achievable during the school week, try 'parking and walking' on the weekends. Try this when visiting:

  • shopping centres
  • organised sport
  • family or friend’s houses.

Involve other parents or children in your area

Community involvement in active travel to and from school can help increase overall physical activity in the area. 

Walking school buses are an excellent way to promote physical activity within your community. A walking school bus is a group of children who walk to and from school along a set safe route, accompanied by adult supervisors. It is a safe and effective way to increase physical activity before and after school. Ask your child's school if they have or are interested in implementing a similar program.

Teach your child to ride a bike

When children know how to ride a bike safely and confidently, they are more likely to enjoy the experience. Look out for bicycle skills training in your area. Often, schools will incorporate bike safety skills into active travel days during term.

Advocate for bike rakes

Many schools encourage students to be active on the way to school. See if your child's school offers bike racks or other support. This will help children place their bike or scooter safely while they are at school.

If your child's school doesn't have bike racks, get involved to see if you are able to advocate for such facilities to increase active travel.

Participate in active transport events at school

Your child's school may participate in active transport events such as:

Check with your child's school to see if they host these events. It is a great opportunity to get active as a community.

Active travel participation

40 years ago, the number of children who walked or rode to school was 8 in 10. Today, only 2 in 10 children use active travel on the way to school.

Road safety and active travel 

Safety is the number one priority when children use active transport travelling to and from school. If you and your child are aware of road safety features ahead of time and practice safe behaviours, cycling or walking to school can be a very safe activity.

If your child is under 10 years old:

  • always supervise them closely and hold their hand when walking across roads or driveways
  • use a pedestrian crossing, a set of traffic lights or a school crossing supervisor where possible
  • allow your child to cycle on a safe route away from roads and driveways.

If your child is over 10 years old:

  • they can ride by themselves, where they are confident in road rules and traffic signals
  • they should always wear a bike helmet that complies with Australian and New Zealand safety standards.

See road rules and active transport for more information.