Victorian Health Promotion Foundation

Understanding the drivers of children’s independent mobilityDr Bruce Bolam, Executive Manager, Programs

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©VicHealth Understanding the drivers of children’s independent mobility2

Our lifestyles are increasingly sedentary

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Children are sitting more and moving less

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VicHealth has led a range of children’s active travel initiatives - including:

• Walking School Bus

• Streets Ahead

• Walk to School

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Active travel is an important way for children to be active

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VicHealth has initiated research to better understand the barriers and enablers for children’s active travel behaviour - with a focus on:

• Children’s active and independent travel

• Parental fears regarding children’s safety

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Understanding barriers to children’s active travel

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• 3-year study into parental fear – 2012 to 2015

• Conducted by La Trobe University and the Parenting Research Centre

• Included:

• Two new measures of parental fear

• Discussion groups with children and parents

• Survey of more than 2000 parents of children 9 to 15 years across Victoria

• Workshops with experts to identify initiatives to overcome barriers to children’s independent physical activity

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Beyond the bubble wrapUnderstanding parent’s fears in allowing their children to play and travel independently

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• Almost half of Victorian parents of children aged nine to 15 are worried about their child’s safety when they are not with an adult because a stranger might approach them.

• Victorian parents are more fearful about their child being harmed by a stranger, than they are about their child’s general safety when out in their neighbourhood without an adult.

• Parents who were more concerned reported that their children were less likely to play and travel independently in the community.

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Preliminary findings: parental fear

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Children’s independence was related to their age, gender and where they live.

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Preliminary findings: trips to school

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• What others think matters:• Family

• School

• Other parents

• Community is important:• People know each other

• Traffic and pedestrian hazards

• Adults and children walking

• Children’s practice and safety skills

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Preliminary findings: other aspects

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• 78,628 students participated

• 499 primary schools participated

• 896,898 km (estimated) walked by participating students

• 1,248,124 walks recorded

• 52 local councils received funding to run local Walk to School activities, which included:• promotional activities• local school engagement• initiatives to support ongoing active travel

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Walk to School 2014

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Beyond the bubble wrap: Understanding parents’ fears in allowing their children to play and travel independently

• https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/parentalfear

Active for Life: Challenging the status quo to get our children moving more and living active, healthy lives

• https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeforlife

Walk to School

• http://www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au/

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Further information