Tuesday, 17 August 2004

Yes, kids walk

I was out running on the Cornwall coast when Colin Pooley's research on changing patterns of everyday mobility hit the media, but I'm glad to see how much coverage it got.
kids_walk The researchers found that walking still accounts for 60% of all trips by 10/11 year olds in the Manchester/Salford and Lancaster /Morecambe urban areas. The study also found that, despite a predictable increase in car use, walking and buses remained important in the case of 17-18 year olds and accounted for over 75% of all trips in each town. The researchers conclude that transport policy should pay far more attention to the needs of pedestrians, rather than assuming that one solution suits all. “Many everyday journeys are undertaken on foot, but this is a form of travel that has been marginalized in much transport policy.”
Here's the ESRC press release - "Children walk nearly as much as their grandparents did."
I haven't spotted any mention of a report being available yet, but it's worth keeping an eye on the CeMoRe site anyway.
And there's a nice previous take on this issue in this report -
Hillman, M., Ed. (1993). Children, transport and the quality of life. London, Policy Studies Institute.


17 Aug 2004 13:23:01 | Mobility and change

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