Active travel

Across Scotland, almost half (49%) of nursery, primary, and secondary pupils surveyed were using active travel to nursery or school. This highlights a decrease in active travel among young people from a 51% high in 2020, but it is still higher than pre-COVID-19 levels (48% in 2019). 

Out of walking, cycling, or scooting/skating, walking continues to be the most common form of active travel to nursery (36%) and school (43%).

In Glasgow City Region almost half (48%) of children were walking to primary and secondary school in 2022, which is an overall decrease from 56% in 2008. Yet, since 2008, cycling to school has increased from 1% to 3%, and scooting and skating has increased from 0% to 3% - which could account for the decrease in walking to school. 

Walking was the primary mode of active travel to school across other local authorities. Among the four largest Scottish cities, Edinburgh has the highest levels of all modes of active travel (54% walking, 6% scooting/skating, 4% cycling) and Dundee has the lowest (44% walking, 3% scooting/skating, 3% cycling).

The national average of active travel to school was lower (43% walking, 3% scooting/skating, 4% cycling) but the rurality of many local authorities in Scotland, and the subsequent distance to and from school, ought to be considered when interpreting the data.

Notes

This section was updated in May 2024.