Older Students - Why Walk?
Walking for at least 15 minutes on their way to school brings many benefits for teenagers, which our campaign will highlight both to pupils, parents and teachers. These include:More Independence
By allowing their children to walk some (or all) of the route to school, parents can start to become more independent of their children - they no longer need to be a taxi service!
Most parents see walking as a safe and easy way for their children to get around. Read more about the long term impact of reduced independence in our Back Seat Children report.
Reduced Risk of Obesity
One of the main causes of the current obesity epidemic is that people are not as active as they were 20 or 30 years ago. This activity does not have to refer to organised sports, but just any physical activity. Walking for just an hour extra each week (returning our activity levels to those of 1975) would reduce weight gain over the next decade by over 12 kilos.
Stronger Friendships
A morning walk to school with friends is the best way to catch up with all the gossip - not only does it make the journey fly past, there is also some evidence that students that walk to school may be more ready for work when they arrive. They have fully woken up and got their chatting out of the way before they arrive at the classroom.
Reduced Stress
With examination pressure, coursework, friends and hormones to deal with, it is no wonder that so many teenagers are stressed out. A 15 minute walk at the start and end of the school day can help to reduce stress, clear the air and give them some time to themselves.
Why walking and not cycling?
We are often asked why we don't promote cycling to school too. We are not anti-cycling (most of the staff here cycle at least part of the journey to work) but we think there are a number of benefits to walking that cycling can't match:
- Walking requires no special equipment (not everyone has a bike)
- You can catch a bus for part of the way, and then walk the rest (it is difficult getting a bike on the bus!)
- Walking can be more suitable and acceptable for girls (particularly where the school uniform includes a skirt).
- Walking can be more sociable (it is difficult to chat if you are cycling on the road)
- Cyclists are more likely to end up hot and sweaty than walkers (and not everyone wants to shower at school)
If you are interested in promoting cycling to schools, we strongly recommend the BikeIt scheme from Sustrans: find out more.
