Barriers for Children

Walking and Biking to

School
Kali Redmond

Introduction
Barriers
1. Distance to School (61.5%)
2. Traffic Danger (30.4%)
3. Weather (18.6%)
4. Crime (11.7%)
5. School policy (6%)
6. Other (15%)

Built Environment has a huge impact

Auto-centric sprawl

Facts
10- 14% of morning traffic is from parents driving children
to school
$21.5 billion is spent each year on school bus transportation.
15 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise can create a positive
attitude
Flint has been award $1,052,509
By SRTS since 2008

History
Percent of children that walked or cycled to school
1969- 50%
2009- 13%
Schools placed in center of
communities
Now on the outskirts
Cheaper land/building
Easy zoning
Fearful, Fast Paced and
Auto-centric society

nities

History of Obesity

Results
Sedentary Lifestyle Can Cause
Health Problems
Childhood Obesity
Diabetes, Heart Issues, Asthma

Development Issues
Lack of Independence Can Change Social Behavior
Lack of Geographical Place

Environmental Issues (when using motorized vehicles)

Lower Air Quality
Commons Issue

Implementation Methods
Safe Routs to School
Government Funded

International Walk to School Day

Global Awareness in October

Bike to School Week

National Awareness in May

Elements For SRTS

I. Educate
Parents, Kids, Neighbors and Drivers

II. Enforce
Policies, Police and Crossing Guards

III. Encourage
Special Events

IV. Engineer
Built Environment

International
In other countries it is seen as
a normal lifestyle

They have adequate infrastructure for

non-motorized transportation

Land mass is not as large

Sprawl is contained

Obesity is not prominent

34% of population in the USA

10% of the population in Netherlands

13% of population in China

Its the
Mindset
Is our infrastructure really
that bad or are we lazy?

Children in 3rd world country's

make it to school with inadequate
infrastructure.

Cultural and Generational

changes have changed the
way people view walking
and biking in the U.S.
A lifestyle change is
needed

Educating the youth through the

school system creates base for a
healthier life style in the future