One of the objectives of Healthy People 2010 is to increase the percentage of students who walk to school.  This report summarizes 2004 data from surveys to describe what parents regard as barriers to their children walking to or from school.  The mail surveys are conducted annually with a stratified random sampling method (by region, household income, population density, age, and household size).  Efforts were made to ensure representation of low income/minority households with children.

Parents of children (5 through 18 years) were asked how many times their youngest child walks to or from school during a usual week and which barriers prevented that child from walking to school.  Barriers suggested to parents were: too dangerous because of traffic, too dangerous because of crime, live too far away, no protection from the weather, the school does not allow it, and other reasons. 

Approximately 17% of the parents reported that their child walked to or from school at least once in a typical week.  Among students who walked to school, they made an average of 7.1 trips per week to or from school.  The percentage of students who walked to or from school was higher among younger children (aged 5 through 11) than older students (18.7% versus 15.3%).  The reported barriers, in order of frequency, were: distance (61.5%), traffic-related danger (30.4%), and weather (18.6%).  Fifteen percent indicated an "other" barrier, 11.7% reported crime, and 6.0% reported school policy as a barrier.  Nearly 16% reported it was not difficult for the child to walk to school.

Safe Routes to School initiative was designed to increase the percentage of students who walk or bicycle to school by addressing barriers with "four Es" (engineering, enforcement, education, and encouragement).  For example, to address distance, schools can arrange for children to meet within a mile of school and go on to school in "walking school buses," in which an adult "driver" and an adult "caboose" escort several children.  This strategy may reduce safety fears.  To address traffic, some communities use engineering and enforcement approaches, such as crossing signals (engineering) and enforcement of speed limits.

(Martin S, Carlson S. MMWR. 2005; 54(38):949-952)

Comment:  Progress is slow.  Many old and new neighborhoods still do not have sidewalks in good condition for residents to safely walk. The community engineering remedy could be tackled by the school and residents together.    --J.O.