Join us to get children walking again!

Figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed that, for the first time, the percentage of children walking to school has fallen below 50%.

In 1989–91 the proportion of children aged five to 10 walking to school in Great Britain was 62 per cent. But by 2008, this had dropped to only 48 per cent, according to a new Social Trends chapter released on 16 February from Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Over the same period, the proportion of children travelling to school by car increased from 27 to 43 per cent.

We are calling on all schools, parents and local authorities to take part in national Walk to School Week (17-21 May) and start reversing this trend.

Walking to school plays a crucial role in keeping children's activity levels up, helping fight childhood obesity as well as preventing problems being stored up for later on in life.

It is an opportunity for children to play before school, allowing them to arrive in class relaxed, energised and ready to learn.

It is a green, social way for parents and children to travel together, and requires no special equipment or training.

With the vast majority of primary school children still living under a 20 minute walk away from their school, it is vital that schools and local authorities, who have the power to reverse this downward trend, commit to becoming active in their support of promoting walking.

Walk to School Week is the perfect opportunity to start making a stand against this trend towards unsustainable, inactive school travel.

Published Tuesday 16 February 2010